Caitlin Clark provides stylish response to absence from U.S. women's Olympic team

The roster for the United States women's Olympic basketball team was announced over the weekend, and Indiana Fever recruit Caitlin Clark's name was missing. Despite her incredible talent, the former Iowa star and No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft was cut from the team.

As you can imagine, many were outraged that Clark was not on this year's Olympic roster. This caused a lot of unnecessary drama on social media — like most things when it comes to Clark's WNBA career.

The rookie, however, provided a thoughtful and elegant response to his exclusion from this year's team.

“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: whether I'm on the team, whether I'm not on the team,” Clark said. “So, I'm excited for them. I'm going to cheer them on to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so, yeah, it'll be fun to watch them.”

This year's roster includes Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm) , Kelsey Plum. (Las Vegas Aces), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).

Say what you want about Clark being left out, but that's an absolutely loaded list to send to Paris. And it's a decision that suits the rookie at this stage of his career.

“Honestly, no disappointment. I think it just gives you a reason to work. It's a dream. I hope one day I can be there,” Clark said. “I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully in four years, when it comes back, I can be there.”

If there's a positive to being left off the U.S. Olympic team, it's that Clark will finally have some time to rest. Not only did she make a quick transition from the college game to the WNBA, but she also faced a media circus for nearly three years.

Having some time off is going to be really nice for the high-profile recruit.

“Absolutely. It's going to be really nice,” she said. “I loved competing every second of it, but it's going to be a great month for my body to rest, be healthy and get away from basketball and the craziness of everything that's going on. Just find a little peace and quiet for myself.

“But more than that, it's a great opportunity for us to work and get better. A great opportunity for me to get in the weight room, work on the field and get better at things that I don't “maybe didn't have time to transition from college to the professional level.”

Clark is averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in his first season at Indiana. She was named WNBA Rookie of the Month for May.