Caitlin Clark's Team USA snub has been the talk of the basketball world this week despite the NBA Finals reaching fever pitch.
The Indiana Fever rookie and new face of the WNBA was controversially left off the 12-woman roster heading to Paris this summer hoping to capture yet another Olympic gold medal.
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Clark's shock omission was widely panned with critics suggesting it was a huge missed opportunity to draw more attention to women's basketball.
The 22-year-old sharpshooter has become one of the biggest stars in US sports in recent months, breaking NCAA records, lighting up March Madness and selling out WNBA jerseys in record time.
The Atlanta Dream even announced they were moving their two regular-season home games against the Feverto the home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks to accommodate Clark-mania.
With all that said, there's still a way Clark could make Team USA for the Olympics.
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Former WNBA star and ESPN basketball commentator Rebecca Lobo mentioned during an appearance on ESPN'sGet Upthat an injury to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray could hypothetically open up a path for Clark to join the team.
According toThe Athletic, Clark is atop the alternates list for Team USA, alongside Brionna Jones of theConnecticutSun, meaning she'll be first in line should a replacement be required.
Earlier this week, the WNBA announced that it had seen unprecedented growth over the first month of the season, including "its highest attended opening month in 26 years and its most-watched start of season across each network ever: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION and NBA TV."
Clark has been a huge factor in the rise in popularity and increased media attention on women's basketball, as well as other WNBA rookies like Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
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Still, the Indy rookie is very much the league's the golden goose.
Many a pundit have blasted Team USA's decision to leave her off the squad and not grow the sport internationally.
"This is about what I will personally label 'The Idiocy of Team USA Women's Basketball.' How dare you make this decision. It's stupid," ESNP's Stephen A. Smith said this week.
"It was a stupid decision. Because it compromises what your ultimate goal is, which is to elevate the WNBA brand," he added. "How could you be that idiotic and not make that call, when throughout history, Team USA has been, in part, about marketing? It's dumb, period."
No. 1 pick Clark has only played 12 WNBA games so far, but is already averaging averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game as a rookie - despite being roughed up by opposition.
She took the news of her Team USA omission well and added that it provides more motivation for making the team in 2028.
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"They called me and let me know before everything came out, which was really respectful of them, and I appreciate that," Clark told reporters this week.
"I think it just gives you something to work for," Clark added. "It's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully, when four years comes back, I can be there."
"I'm excited for the girls that are on the team," Clark went. "I know it's the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way of me being on the team or me not being on the team. I'm excited for them. Going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics. It'll be fun to watch them."
Theopening ceremony for the Paris Gameswill take place on July 26.
Team USA women's basketball has won every Olympic gold medal since 1996 and are the overwhelming favorites this year.
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Even without Clark they'll have a star-studded team bursting with WNBA talent.
A'ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart will all be on the team heading to the French capital.
