The WNBA All-Star Game has concluded, and players not heading to Paris for the Olympics get nearly a month off before the schedule resumes on August 15th. This incudes Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who was an All-Star in her rookie season, but was not named to Team USA.
Clark has expressed a level of excitement to finally get an extended break after what has been a hectic few months since being drafted first-overall after a historic collegiate career at Iowa. Entering the Olympic break, Clark shared a post on Instagram that has been going viral.
The post included 10 pictures of Clark from All-Star Weekend, and a four-word caption that read, “First WNBA All-Star.”
While Clark did not shoot well in the All-Star Game, she did record a rookie record 10 assists to help lead Team WNBA to a victory over Team USA. As she has done so many times this season, Clark achieved something in the All-Star Game that no rookie in league history had achieved.
Caitlin Clark set a WNBA All-Star Game rookie record with 10 assists tonight 🔥
pic.twitter.com/F9S0pKHhY4— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 21, 2024
After Team WNBA’s victory over Team USA, many argued that both Clark and Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale (who won All-Star Game MVP) proved they should have made USA Basketball’s Paris Olympics roster. While that may be a fair argument, Clark pushed back against this narrative after the game.
“They’re really good,” Clark said of Team USA. “They have plenty of talent on that team… Four years prior, I’m pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA… If anything, it shows how good this league is.”
Clark asked about Team WNBA winning, and if that’s vindication for them not being chosen. “Um, no. They’re really good. They have plenty of talent on that team… four years prior I’m pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA… if anything, it shows how good this league is.”
Clark asked about Team WNBA winning, and if that's vindication for them not being chosen. "Um, no. They're really good. They have plenty of talent on that team… four years prior I'm pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA… if anything, it shows how good this league is."
Full: pic.twitter.com/0pp9qMCACE
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) July 21, 2024
This was a great response from Clark, who has not shown any issue with being left off Team USA despite having a case for making the team.