US women's national team coach goes off after Caitlin Clark question
The USA Basketball women's basketball coach for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will be Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. After three years of Dawn Staley leading the US, Reeve took over at the end of 2021 and is leading the team in Paris this summer.
When the Paris roster was announced, a big name was left off: rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
As the head coach of the national team, Reeve was among those who were criticized for leaving Clark off the roster who despite her only having a few WNBA games under her belt, had a historic college career. The news of Clark's snub caught the sports world by storm, causing many fans and media critics to express their opinions, most of which were negative to the selection committee.
Ahead of the game between the Lynx and Fever, ESPN's Myron Medcalf asked Reeve about Clark playing on future national teams. But the question left Reeve infuriated.
I asked Cheryl Reeve about Caitlin Clark on future national teams: "Why the hell would I answer a national team question?" she said. "I'm wearing Lynx. And I'm the head coach of the national team but I'm not the chair of the committee. Anybody want to venture into anything else?"
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) July 14, 2024
Also, during the pre-game press conference, Reeve was asked about the Clark effect that was taking over in Minnesota. Indy Star's Chloe Peterson asked the question about the possibility of the crowd being pro-Fever. And once again, it left Reeve quite upset.
Cheryl Reeve was blunt when asked about fans cheering for the opposing team in Indiana during a home game for the Lynx.
— Andrew Cornelius (@AndrewCorn03) July 14, 2024
“Not even one s***.”#Lynx #WNBA pic.twitter.com/RxbMAKDcdw
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve refuses to answer Caitlin Clark/Olympics questions
The crowd at Target Center was, in fact, extremely pro-Fever. As soon as the ball landed in Clark's hands after the opening tip, the crowd was audible.
making an impact everywhere 👏
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 14, 2024
Caitlin Clark showed love to these fans before tipoff in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/2zbct2ENSM
Heading into the game, the Lynx had one of the best records in the WNBA, a 16-7 record. But they left Sunday's game with a loss.
Clark took over the fourth quarter and finished with 17 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals in a big-time 81-74 win for Indiana. And when Clark was fouled in the final seconds of the game with Indiana seeking the win, Clark and Fever fans made themselves heard. At one point, Clark was even hyping up the crowd.
Caitlin Clark tells the Indiana Fever fans to give a round of applause to themselves for being so loud in an opposing building 🤍 pic.twitter.com/1jHes5EFlm
— Heavenly Buckets on youtube (@HeavenlyBuckets) July 14, 2024
So, while Reeve might not want to address the elephant in the room regarding the Clark effect, it sure is right in front of her eyes, and Clark made that clear in Sunday's win. If Reeve is still the US Basketball women's national team by the time of the next Olympics in 2028, she should be prepared to see Clark on that roster.
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