Cheryl Reeve sets the record straight on involvement in Caitlin Clark's Olympic snub

The Indiana Fever are back because of Caitlin Clark. She helped them make a seven-win improvement and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Clark kept setting unfathomable records as she took the entire league to new popularity. The 22-year-old rookie changed the W and is just getting started.

Clark was an All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting in year one. There was plenty of talk about inexperience during her Olympics snub, but everyone forgot she had just led the Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA Finals. Clark shined in big moments and wanted to represent Team USA.

Minnesota Lynx and Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve talked about Clark missing out on the games in Paris this summer with Sarah Spain on her podcast. “Good Game with Sarah Spain” is produced by iHeartPodcasts, as part of the company's new Women's Sports Audio Network. See why the hate directed at coach Reeve is misguided.

Cheryl Reeve did not snub Caitlin Clark from the Olympic team

Reeve had this to say when asked about Clark not being selected.

"I think what people don't get about it… is the coach of the national team truly has no power in the selection of the team.”

The Lynx head coach gave an example about Kayla McBride missing out on the World Cup, despite having a stellar camp because the selection committee went in a different direction. Reeve receives plenty of hate online, but she is ultimately not choosing the team.

That is the job of the selection committee. For the 2024 Olympics, that group featured Dawn Staley, Seimone Augustus, Delisha Milton-Jones, Jennifer Rizzotti, and Bethany Donaphin. They chose the group and announced it in June before Clark had fully broken out.

Team USA went on to win gold in Paris, but the Fever’s superstar would have put more eyes on the team. There is no more popular player in the women’s game, and it was a chance to grow the sport. The selection committee decided against Clark, but it won't continue.

The 22-year-old is already one of the best players in the W, and she wants to represent her country. Clark figures to be one of the stars of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and fans can expect sellout crowds as Team USA goes for a ninth consecutive gold medal on their home soil.

Caitlin Clark deserved to be on the team in 2024, but the selection committee went in a different direction. Expect the Indiana Fever’s star to keep proving them wrong and dominating. The best is yet to come, so stay tuned and enjoy the ride.