Caitlin Clark reportedly will be left off Olympic team

May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) laughs before the game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark shattered NCAA records before being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft back in April. She immediately generated interest (and controversy) in the league, but it likely won’t be enough for her to suit up in Paris this summer.

The Athletic reports that Clark is expected to be left off the Olympics women’s basketball roster in favor of three other first-timers — Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, and Sabrina Ionescu.

Other members of the women’s basketball team include A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and the 41-year-old Diana Taurasi.

Although Clark will be left off the initial roster, she is expected to be named an alternate alongside Brionna Jones.

Clark had been invited to the U.S. national team’s final training camp in March but was unable to attend as she led Iowa into the Final Four. She closed out her college career as the all-time Division I leading scorer and won two National Player of the Year awards.

Since entering the WNBA, Clark has become somewhat of a lightning rod, drawing ire from her opponents and critics. She has been routinely targeted with some suggesting the shots are cheap while others believe it’s nothing more than somewhat of a hazing period.

On Friday night, Clark shrugged all of that off in a historic performance, hitting seven 3-pointers and dropping a career-best 30 points to go along with eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a victory over the Washington Mystics.