There was plenty of backlash when Caitlin Clark was left off the United States Women's National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The basketball superstar has been in the spotlight for the last two years and that stage has only gotten bigger as she shoulders a large portion of the WNBA's rapidly increasing popularity.
At the time of Team USA's roster announcement, Clark was struggling to find her footing at the next level. As her first WNBA season rolls on, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has settled in to prove why she was touted as one of the best prospects in league history.
With the 2024 Paris Olympics right around the corner, USA Basketball's decision to leave Clark off the roster only looks worse in retrospect.
BENDER: Team USA is making a mistake leaving Clark off Olympic roster
Caitlin Clark's Team USA snub is only aging worse
The majority of discourse surrounding Clark's Team USA snub was focused on two things: TV ratings and her future as a face of USA Basketball.
"The Clark Effect" has played a significant role in the WNBA and women's basketball's leap in popularity. Many believed Team USA was missing an opportunity to capitalize on that attention on a global stage as big as the Olympics.
Very little discourse was about the impact that Clark would actually make on the court. There was no denying her talent but given her early struggles at the pro level, few made the case that she would genuinely influence the United States' chances at gold.
Now is a good time to remind you that Team USA has won seven consecutive gold medals and nine of 12 gold medals ever awarded for women's basketball at the Olympics. That type of dominance would not be impacted by carving out a roster spot for a 22-year-old who will surely one day be the face of the program.
Nonetheless, USA Basketball elected to send a veteran-heavy group to Paris, leaving Clark at home. Since that decision on June 11, Clark has gotten extremely comfortable at the WNBA level, proving she is one of the best offensive engines in the league already.
| Pre-Olympics roster announcement | Post-Olympics roster announcement | |
| 13 | GP | 11 |
| 16.3 | PPG | 17.5 |
| 6.0 | APG | 10.0 |
| 4.9 | RPG | 7.1 |
| 1.5 | SPG | 1.5 |
| 0.8 | BPG | 1.0 |
| 5.4 | TOV | 5.7 |
| 37.3 | FG% | 43.9 |
| 33.0 | 3P% | 35.2 |
MORE: Caitlin Clark ties franchise record in Fever win over Mercury
Clark has improved in nearly every major statistical category. Her uncanny number of turnovers is the lone blemish on her rookie year, but even her early-season shooting woes have reverted to the mean.
She leads the W in total assists, ranks third in 3-pointers made and sits in the top 10 in total points and steals. She also became the first rookie in WNBA history to record a triple-double.
Clark's playmaking and perimeter shooting certainly could have been an asset for Team USA, even in a limited capacity.
Could her recent play still land her a spot on the roster? It's not totally out of the question.
How Caitlin Clark could still make Team USA for 2024 Paris Olympics
Clark's only path to a Team USA roster spot for the 2024 Paris Olympics would be as an injury replacement.
The Fever star and Sun center Brionna Jones were mentioned as unofficial alternates by The Athletic's Shams Charania back at the time of the roster announcement.
With the Games only two weeks away, there are three injuries to monitor on the roster.
Veteran guard Diana Taurasi has missed the Mercury's last three games with back and lower leg injuries. If she isn't healthy enough to go, Clark could be a viable replacement at the same position.
It is worth noting that Taurasi is chasing several Olympic records this summer, though. She is one gold medal shy of the United States all-time record and has a number of individual statistical achievements in her sights, too. There is a strong chance Taurasi heads to Paris regardless, even if she is just a voice in the locker room and a supporter on the bench.
The other injuries to watch are Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Mercury center Brittney Griner.
Collier has been out since July 4 with a foot injury. Griner suffered a hip injury on July 12.
If either player is unable to suit up, Clark could be called on, but given their positions as frontcourt players, Jones is a more likely replacement for either star.
