Almost a month ago, Caitlin Clark was excluded from Team USA’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Turns out, her Indiana Fever teammate will get to play on the global stage first before this year’s top WNBA rookie.
At the height of the issue, USA Basketball defended its decision to exclude Clark from the Olympic roster. Despite her impressive rookie season with the Fever, where she became the first rookie to record a triple-double, the selection committee cited her lack of international experience as the primary reason for her omission.

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti emphasized that the decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of various criteria, including position, style of play, and the overall cohesiveness of the team. She stated that the committee’s focus was on assembling the most competitive team possible, rather than considering the potential viewership impact of including Clark.
The exclusion of the rookie has drawn some criticism, but USA Basketball remains steadfast in its commitment to fielding the strongest possible team for the 2024 Olympics, with the hope of securing an eighth consecutive gold medal for the United States.
Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Kristy Wallace To Play For Australia in the Olympics

While Clark isn’t expected to play in Paris, her Indiana Fever teammate has already secured her ticket to the event. In a tweet by the team’s official X account:
Wally is going to Paris!
Kristy Wallace has been named to Australia’s Olympic roster 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/rLgzk5I1IW
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 7, 2024
Wallace previously represented Australia at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, where the team secured the bronze medal. The upcoming Olympics will mark her debut on the global stage as she aims to help Australia challenge the reigning champion United States.

Although Clark isn’t expected to play for Team USA, fans can still catch the Fever rookie playing against them during the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game. In this way, the public will still get a taste of seeing the rookie go up against the best of the league.

For More Great Basketball Content
Follow me on Twitter at @BeatKit22 and follow us @HardwoodHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional sports, click here!