Current:Home > BackCaitlin Clark told Indiana Fever head coach that Team USA snub 'woke a monster'-LoTradeCoin
Caitlin Clark told Indiana Fever head coach that Team USA snub 'woke a monster'
View Date:2024-12-23 21:30:52
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has reportedly been left off of Team USA's women's basketball team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. It has only provided her extra motivation.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Fever head coach Christie Sides said that Clark told her, "Hey coach, they woke a monster."
Clark didn't need the extra motivation on Friday night when she scored 30 points in 39 minutes against the Washington Mystics. Her performance included a rookie record-tying seven 3-pointers during the game en route to an 85-83 win.
The Fever could use more games like that from Clark, who leads all WNBA rookies with 16.8 points per game. Indiana is near the bottom of the standings with its 3-9 record and have yet to win back-to-back games this season.
CAITLIN CLARK:WNBA rookie snubbed by USA Basketball. Fever star left off Olympic team for Paris
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark's Team USA snub
Here are Sides' full comments on Team USA leaving Clark off of the Olympics team.
Caitlin Clark on Team USA snub
Clark also spoke with reporters on Sunday after the roster's announcement.
"I'm excited for the girls that are on the team," she said. "I know it's the most competitive team in the world, and I knew it could've gone either way – me being on the team, me not being on the team. I'm excited for them. I'm going to be rooting them on to win gold."
She also said she didn't feel any disappointment with what many analysts and fans are calling a snub.
"I think it just gives you something to work for. That's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation," she said.
The WNBA will take three weeks off for an Olympics break this season, and Clark said that she'll enjoy getting some time off after months of competition across the college and pro levels. At the same time, she's looking forward to having more time for her and her team to improve ahead of her rookie season's final months.
OPINION:Leaving Caitlin Clark off Olympic team, USA Basketball airballs on huge opportunity
2024 Summer Olympics: Team USA women's basketball roster
According to multiple reports, this is how Team USA will be lining up in Paris later this summer.
INDIANA FEVER:'It needs to stop!' Team's GM, coach have seen enough hard fouls on Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark stats
Through 12 games this season, Clark is averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals. Rebounding is the only one of those categories in which she does not lead the Fever this year. Her points and assists mark also lead all rookies.
Her 16.8 points per game are 13th-best in the WNBA as well, though she does lead the league with 5.6 turnovers per game.
veryGood! (5831)
Related
- Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field
- Texas A&M vs Notre Dame score today: Fighting Irish come away with Week 1 win at Aggies
- Georgia vs. Clemson highlights: Catch up on all the big moments from the Bulldogs' rout
- What restaurants are open on Labor Day? Hours and details for McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, more
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- South Carolina women's basketball player Ashlyn Watkins charged with assault, kidnapping
- Gilmore Girls' Kelly Bishop Reacts to Criticism of Rory Gilmore's Adult Storyline
- Who Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek play in US Open fourth round, and other must-watch matches
- Women suing over Idaho’s abortion ban describe dangerous pregnancies, becoming ‘medical refugees’
- Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics champion Kara Welsh killed in shooting
Ranking
- Residents urged to shelter in place after apparent explosion at Louisville business
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Last Try
- NASCAR Darlington summer 2024: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Cook Out Southern 500
- Can the ‘Magic’ and ‘Angels’ that Make Long Trails Mystical for Hikers Also Conjure Solutions to Environmental Challenges?
- Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans
- American road cyclist Elouan Gardon wins bronze medal in first Paralympic appearance
- How Swimmer Ali Truwit Got Ready for the 2024 Paralympics a Year After Losing Her Leg in a Shark Attack
- Roderick Townsend shows he’s still got it at 32 with Paralympic gold
Recommendation
-
Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation’s largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week
-
Slash's stepdaughter Lucy-Bleu Knight, 25, cause of death revealed
-
Caitlin Clark returns to action: How to watch Fever vs. Wings on Sunday
-
Suspect, 15, arrested in shooting near Ohio high school that killed 1 teen, wounded 4
-
NFL overreactions: New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys going nowhere after Week 10
-
AI may not steal many jobs after all. It may just make workers more efficient
-
Tyrese opens up about '1992' and Ray Liotta's final role: 'He blessed me'
-
AI may not steal many jobs after all. It may just make workers more efficient