Caitlin Clark's name has appeared in countless sports headlines during the first weeks of the WNBA season.
The all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball has helped bring unprecedented attention to the WNBA. But much of the recent conversation about Clark has focused on USA Basketball's decision to leave her off the roster for the upcoming Olympics.
The decision sparked a series of debates, with some supporting the omission while others expressing opposition. Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce is among those disappointed that Clark will not travel to Paris next month with Team USA.
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NBA great Paul Pierce is honored to be selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on February 20, 2022. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
In Pierce's view, USA Basketball's selection committee made a mistake.
“I just thought it was a bad play,” Pierce said. “I mean, whether you like it or not, you're trying to grow women's soccer. This is an opportunity. They came out and said I didn't have enough reps. Well, never mind.
“I don't care what representatives say. Politics comes into play in everything. It's part of everything. Any type of growth. So when you don't take advantage of that, you drop the ball.”
USA BASKETBALL PRESIDENT SAYS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 'IRRESPONSIBLE' TO PUT CAITLIN CLARK ON THE OLYMPIC ROSTER
The 10-time NBA All-Star also argued that former LSU basketball star and current Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese should have been selected to represent the United States in Paris.
“I would have put them both on the Olympic team for the simple fact that I didn't actually watch the Olympic girls, just to be 100 with you. If that had to happen, I probably would have watched them.”
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark warms up before a game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 7, 2024, in Washington, DC (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Shortly after learning he didn't make the team, Clark suggested he would use the decision as motivation as he strives to play for Team USA in 2028.
“I'm excited for the girls that are on the team. I know it's the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way: being on the team or not being on the team.” Clark said, via The Athletic. “So I'm excited for them. I'm going to root for them to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics. So, yeah, it's going to be fun to watch.”
“There's no disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for. It's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little bit more motivation. You remember it. And hopefully, four years from now, When four years pass, I can be there.”
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. It will be the third time the city has hosted the Summer Games. The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta marked the last time a U.S. city hosted the Summer Games.
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Clark is averaging 15.6 points and six assists per game this season.
Reese is averaging 10 rebounds in the first 12 games of her WNBA career. On June 16, Clark and Reese will meet for the second time this season when the Indiana Fever host the Chicago Sky.
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