A book from USA Today columnist Christine Brennan is revealing the true reason why Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was snubbed from playing for Team USA in last year's Summer Olympics.
In a copy of "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports" obtained by the New York Post , Brennan claims Clark was left off because one of the 12 roster spots was already promised to Diana Taurasi as a "farewell present by USA Basketball."
"This meant 11 spots, not 12, were open and available. Taurasi was a lock unless she was totally injured and couldn't play. And, frankly, she would be going even if she was a little injured and could only play sparingly," Brennan wrote.
Taurasi was 42 during the Olympics and would win a record sixth Olympic basketball gold medal, but she didn't play in the gold medal game where Team USA won by just one over host country France — 67-66. In five games, Taurasi averaged one point, 0.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
Meanwhile, when Clark was passed over, she was averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists through her first 16 games during her rookie year in the WNBA.
Brennan also noted that USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee was concerned about how fans would react if Clark wasn't playing much during the Olympics.
Brennan wrote that US women's basketball was "concerned about critical posts on X and Facebook and the like" and that "they didn't want to deal" with people's reactions over Clark's playing time, the Post reports.
For her part, Clark said at the time she wasn't disappointed about not making the Olympic squad.
"Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there," Clark said in June 2024, via ESPN.com .
Barring injury, Clark will almost certainly be representing Team USA in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles .
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