Caitlin Clark heads to the Olympic break with a clear conscience.
He Indiana fever The rookie earned her first All-Star win after Team WNBA beat Team USA on Saturday night in a game many saw as a chance for Clark to get revenge after a surprise snub by the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team.
Arike Ogunbowale celebrates a three-point basket with Caitlin Clark and Allisha Gray of the WNBA team during the WNBA All-Star Game at the Footprint Center on July 20, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
But after the 117-109 win over Team USA's veterans, where Clark led the Stars in assists, the former Iowa standout said she didn't feel “vindicated” by her victory.
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“No, I mean they're really good,” she said with a smile. “They have a lot of talent on that team. It was the same thing four years ago. I'm pretty sure Team WNBA beat Team USA.” [and] “They were perfectly fine at the Olympics.”
Team USA suffered a loss before its gold medal run at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. But this year's defeat followed a media storm that saw WNBA fans, more specifically Caitlin Clark Fans outraged when she wasn't selected for the Paris squad.
But Clark believes Saturday's loss is more of a testament to the talent in the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark dribbles the ball against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game on July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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“I think if anything it shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent there is in this league and how you have to show up and prepare every night because there are a lot of players that aren't even here on All-Star weekend that could be here right now as well.”
She continued: “I think from my point of view this is a great opportunity and it will help prepare them for Paris. I will support them and cheer them on. I love the Olympics, I have loved them since I was a little girl and they are going to do very well. They are going to win gold and dominate so I am not worried.”
The disappointment of not seeing Clark help continue the U.S. dominance in women’s basketball at the Olympics has a silver lining for Clark. She’ll finally get to rest after a nonstop journey that included a championship run her senior year at Iowa and becoming the NCAA Division 1’s all-time leading scorer.
Caitlin Clark smiles after the WNBA All-Star Game on July 20, 2024, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
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“It was such a fun experience at the first All-Star Game in Phoenix!! The fans and city were amazing…” Clark said in a post on X.
“Now it's time to rest and relax a little 🙂 See you in a month.”
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