Leaving Caitlin Clark off the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics was the right decision for both her and the team. While Clark is a talented player, she is not currently one of the 12 best U.S. players and lacks experience playing with the senior national team. Clark’s turnover rate is high, and her defense is still a work in progress, which could make her a liability at the Olympics. Additionally, the U.S. team faces tough competition in Paris, and Clark’s inclusion would not be worth the risk.
Clark’s need for rest and time to work on improving her game is crucial, as she has been under a lot of pressure and has had minimal time off due to her success at Iowa and in the WNBA. The break from the Olympics will allow her to recover physically and mentally, work on her game, and build chemistry with her teammates. Clark’s determination to use missing out on Paris as motivation shows her commitment to improving and eventually contributing to Team USA. Ultimately, the decision to leave Clark out of the Olympics was the best choice for her long-term development and success.
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