Candace Parker has been left off the US women’s basketball team for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a big surprise given her talent and history.
Parker, a two-time WNBA MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was informed by USA Basketball last week that she was not on the team the US would be sending to Rio, according to reports.
There were 25 women on the USA Basketball national team roster who were finalists for the Olympic team, including Parker.
Parker, 30, missed half of the WNBA season due to injuries, but posted career-high marks in points, rebounds and assists when she did return.
Parker was among three of the 25 finalists for the Olympics team who did not attend a USA Basketball camp in Connecticut in February, which could have played a part in her being left off the roster.
The LA Sparks star led the US National Team in points and rebounds during its 2015 European Tour. Parker being left off the roster likely means four-time NCAA Final Four MOP Breanna Stewart made the cut. Stewart has been a star for UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who also is the head coach of the Olympic team.
As recently as Friday Parker was making it seem like she would be part of the Olympics team, making this a big surprise:
Can’t wait to show off all this hard work I’ve been putting in this offseason! #ad #roadtorio #offseasongains pic.twitter.com/WMQsci0jf4
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) April 22, 2016
