Clark had international experience with USA Basketball at a younger level. Before that, she couldn’t join the national training camp in Cleveland after being invited because she was leading Iowa to the Final Four. She completed her NCAA career as the all-time scoring leader in Division I.
Clark, now a rookie with the Indiana Fever, also attracted millions of new fans to women’s basketball during her college years and early WNBA tenure.
While Clark won’t go to Paris, five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi is expected to travel for her sixth Olympic Games representing America. Her Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner will accompany 42-year-old Taurasi who will turn 42 on Tuesday.
This will be Griner’s debut overseas since she spent 10 months in jail in Russia in 2022; if it is not with USA Basketball, she stated that she would only play abroad.
Olympic veterans will appear in the game, including Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, and Chelsea Gray. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the U.S. win its first-ever 3×3 gold medal at the Tokyo games in 2021, will also be part of the team.
First-time Olympians include Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. Even though these three played for America’s side, which won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Every gold medal has gone to the US women since the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
