The Indiana Fever’s Kaitlyn Clark and the Connecticut Sun’s Breonna Jones are the top two replacements for the U.S. women’s basketball team ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Charania said Monday on FanDuel TV Turn it on again That Clark or Jones would be first in line if a replacement was needed:
Clarke’s exclusion from the 12-man squad sparked much debate in the days that followed. Critics of the decision pointed to its enormous popularity and how much more attention it would bring to Team USA and women’s basketball as a whole.
Ultimately, though, the 22-year-old’s performance early in her rookie campaign didn’t make her selection a no-brainer. She is averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 37.3 percent overall and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc.
It is almost impossible to say that Clark is one of the best 12 players in the American group.
The 6’0″ guard also missed crucial practice time at Team USA’s training camp in April because she suited up for Iowa State in the Final Four. And head coach Cheryl Reeve was unable to get a substantive look at how she fits into the senior roster.
Not to mention, the boost in viewership that Clarke may have provided could have easily been diminished as it became clear that she was not going to be a key player on Team USA. Will fans still listen to her if she plays for 10 minutes or less in every contest?
The month-long break Clark will get from the WNBA season could be exactly what she needs. “It’s going to be a great month for my body to get rested and healthy,” she told reporters on Sunday.
Clark added that she intends to work out with her Fever teammates and get in the weight room during the WNBA’s hiatus.
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