Caitlin Clark describes what it has been like watching the Olympics, not being there

Caitlin Clark was hoping to compete at the Paris Olympics, but she was left off of the Team USA roster. Instead, the former Iowa star has been watching from afar as a fan.

Clark spoke with Keith Murphy about what it has been like being back home as the Olympics are taking place. Needles to say, she’s been tuning in.

“Honestly I’ve watched a good amount of it,” Caitlin Clark said. “I’ve learned about some sports that I didn’t even know existed. I haven’t only watched basketball, but I’ve watched a good amount of the basketball and it’s fun.”

The decision to leave Clark off of the United States team was a controversial one, but she has taken it in stride. Instead of being frustrated, the Indiana Fever rookie is working to ensure that she is on the team in four years.

The process of trying to make the team starts almost immediately. The Indiana Fever rookie is averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game, and she should have a strong case to be on the Olympics team for 2028 in Los Angeles.

“I think it just gives you something to work for and something to achieve. And I don’t think people realize how fast the Olympics come up,” Caitlin Clark said. “Like it’s a four-year process of being able to get prepared for them. That’s my goal, to be there in the next four years, and it just gives you something to work hard for.”

Caitlin Clark reflects on first WNBA All-Star Game, beating Olympics team

When the U.S. women’s national basketball team roster came out, many expressed surprise Caitlin Clark didn’t make the cut. The No. 1 overall pick became a national name during her record-setting career at Iowa and appears to be finding her way through the WNBA, securing her first All-Star Game selection.

Even though she didn’t make the Olympics team as they headed to Paris, Clark still got to go up against the group. The WNBA’s All-Star Game format put the all-stars against the national team, and the all-stars came away with the victory.

When asked about beating Team USA, though, Clark reflected on the trip to Phoenix as a whole. She said it was what she dreamed about growing up, and the reason the all-stars won was because, quite simply, they had fun.

“It was fun,” Clark told WHO-13. “Honestly, that whole all-star experience. Obviously it was my first time, so I didn’t really know what to expect. And going down there, my biggest goal was just to have fun. I think that’s the main reason we won is we were just having so much fun playing with one another.

“It was kind of just like going out there and playing pickup as a young kid. We didn’t have any plays. We didn’t have a scouting report. You’re just going out there and having fun and playing basketball like you know how to, and I think that’s honestly the reason we won.”