Basketball Legend Settles Caitlin Clark Olympic Debate
The 2024 Olympics are over, and Team USA ended up absolutely dominating this year.
Overall, the United States ended up taking home 126 medals overall. This includes 40 gold medals, 44 silver, and 42 bronze.
Team USA ended up tying with China with the most gold medals in the Paris Olympics.
One of those gold medals was scored by the historic Team USA Women's 5 versus 5 basketball team.
In the gold medal match on Sunday, August 11th Team USA went up against France.
The game proved to be a massive nail biter right up until the final seconds. French player Gabby Williams was just about to take the game into overtime with a three-pointer right at the buzzer.
However, she was not behind the three-point line when she made the shot, which gave the United States with a single point victory.
This game secured the team's eighth straight Olympic gold.
This year's roster was full of WNBA vets and star players.
Here is the full 2024 Olympic team roster:
- A'ja Wilson (Forward) - Las Vegas Aces
- Breanna Stewart (Forward) - New York Liberty
- Diana Taurasi (Guard) - Phoenix Mercury
- Brittney Griner (Center) - Phoenix Mercury
- Jewell Loyd (Guard) - Seattle Storm
- Kahleah Copper (Guard) - Phoenix Mercury
- Sabrina Ionescu (Guard) - New York Liberty
- Chelsea Gray (Guard) - Las Vegas Aces
- Kelsey Plum (Guard) - Las Vegas Aces
- Jackie Young (Guard) - Las Vegas Aces
- Napheesa Collier (Forward) - Minnesota Lynx
- Alyssa Thomas (Forward) - Connecticut Sun
However, this team is not without its controversy.
Many viewed the fact that Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic team a major snub.
Could the team have secured a better lead in the final matchup against France if the West Des Moines native was there?
Who's to say?
Olympian and Basketball Legend Puts Caitlin Clark "Snub" Claims to Rest
4-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA legend Sue Bird has been vocal in her support of the former Iowa Hawkeye. She also knows what it takes to make the grade and what exactly goes into a successful Olympic team.
In a recent interview with CBS, Bird was asked whether or not Team USA "missed the boat" in regard to not putting Caitlin Clark on the team this year.
"I think every Olympic cycle, there's a story of a snub," the retired Seattle Storm player said.
"I could sit here and make an argument for her being on the team, but that would require me to take somebody off. And when I look at this roster, I don't see myself doing that."
Bird said that this is the challenge with selecting the roster for the U.S. women's basketball team every four years.
"That's why we win gold."
You can watch the brief moment from the interview down below!
Sue Bird & Caitlin Clark
Clark and Bird met up again (publicly) when the retired WNBA legend was filming her ESPN series 'Sue's Places' this past college hoops season.
The two women also had a friendly bit of competition during Clark's first All-Star Game.
A reporter told Clark that Sue Bird held the all-time All-Star game assists record with eleven assists. The former Iowa Hawkeye had nine at that exact moment.
"Oh! It's Sue's! Then I'm breaking it," Clark joked.
"She's been talking crap all game!"
Look back at Clark's rookie season so far down below!
Caitlin Clark's Rookie Season in the WNBA Part 1
Gallery Credit: Kerri Mac
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Our Favorite Caitlin Clark Photos
Gallery Credit: Getty Images