According to Dawn Staley, if the Team USA Olympic roster was chosen today, Caitlin Clark would probably be on it.

The exclusion of WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark off squad USA’s selection for the women’s basketball squad at the 2024 Summer Olympics has caused controversy. Despite her outstanding performance, Team USA made the controversial choice to give preference to players with more experience.

Head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and member of the Team USA selection committee Dawn Staley discussed the choice. In an interview with Mike Tirico for NBC’s coverage of the Olympics, Staley mentioned that if the selection process had taken place today, Clark would have been a strong contender given her current performance.

“As a committee member, it is your responsibility to assemble the greatest players and players’ squad. In the WNBA, Caitlin is merely a rookie. Staley clarified, “[She] wasn’t playing poorly, but she wasn’t playing like she is today. “Given her current play, she would be a strong candidate to make the team if we had to start over,” the coach said. “She is shooting and playing above most others.”

Clark’s performance was not as noteworthy as it is now when the roster was first chosen, which was over two months ago. Staley’s remarks emphasize the dynamic nature of player growth and show how much her game has changed in a short period of time.

Clark’s inclusion in the selection committee was criticized for failing to see her potential and for ignoring the vital experience Clark would acquire competing internationally. Her exclusion seems ill-advised because many believe she will become a future star for Team USA.

There’s also talk that some older players may not have wanted her to be included since they thought she hadn’t “earned” her seat yet. This internal team dispute is hinted to by Staley’s statement that Clark is now “more seasoned in the pro game”.