Team USA’s women’s basketball team may have achieved a perfect 6-0 record and won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the victory hasn’t been without controversy. The notable exclusion of rising star Caitlin Clark from the roster has ignited a backlash among fans and even some NBA players, who argue that the Indiana Fever standout deserved a place on the Olympic team.

With a roster packed with talent, including A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Sabrina Ionescu, Team USA delivered a series of dominating performances, culminating in their triumphant gold medal victory. But for many, the victory was bittersweet, marred by what they see as an unforgivable oversight-leaving Clark off the team.

The omission didn’t sit well with Clark’s supporters, who took to social media to voice their frustrations. One particularly disgruntled fan took aim at veteran Diana Taurasi’s lackluster performance in Paris 2024, sarcastically posting on X (formerly Twitter), “This is who we left Caitlin Clark off the US Olympic Team for.”

Taurasi, the Phoenix Mercury legend, managed just 0.7 points, one rebound, and 0.7 assists per game-a stat line that left many wondering why she was chosen over Clark.

Fans and players regret the decision

Another fan couldn’t help but make a humorous jab, writing, “Caitlin Clark watching Diana Taurasi warm the bench every game in the Olympics after being told she wasn’t good enough to make the team.”

The sentiment was echoed across social media, with another critic lamenting, “Chelsea Gray and Diana Taurasi over Caitlin Clark is a joke. And you can’t convince me that this team couldn’t have used Angel Reese’s rebounding.”

The discontent wasn’t limited to social media. NBA star Draymond Green weighed in on the debate during a recent episode of his podcast. Green, known for his outspoken opinions, argued that Clark’s inclusion would have been a no-brainer, both for her talent and the potential boost to the team’s brand.

“I think Caitlin Clark should have been on the USA team. It’s great for the brand… We talk brand any other time, let’s not act like it don’t matter now,” Green stated.

Will Clark play in Los Angeles in 2028?

As the dust settles on the Paris Games, one thing is clear: the outcry over Clark’s exclusion won’t be forgotten anytime soon. With the next Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles in 2028, all eyes will be on Team USA to see if they rectify what many see as a major mistake.

Until then, fans and critics alike will be left wondering what could have been if Caitlin Clark had been given her chance to shine on the world’s biggest stage.