Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi Catch Strays After Team USA's Caitlin Clark Decision
Team USA's decision to not include Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark on its 2024 Paris Olympics roster isn't sitting well with a lot of fans. As a result, players such as Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi are getting some hate from critics who feel they don't deserve to be part of the team.
For those who missed it, Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news that Clark has been completely left off the Team USA roster for the Paris games. In a follow-up report, he and Joe Vardon revealed the 12 players who made it, which included Griner and Taurasi.
Also included are A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Kahleah Cooper, Sabrina Ionescu and Chelsea Gray.
Fans, however, specifically took issue with Griner and Taurasi's inclusion. For one, Griner only made her season debut for the Phoenix Mercury on Friday after suffering a fractured toe in the preseason.
"Brittney Griner hasn't played a game this season and made the team but Caitlin didn't???" a frustrated fan shared.
"Why is Brittney Griner up there," a confused commenter asked.
As for Taurasi, many couldn't help but point out her age and question whether or not she's still fit to be part of the USA roster. After all, a younger player (like Clark) could have taken her spot instead as the team starts the development of the future generation.
"Taurasi definitely should not be on the team. She's been horrible for a couple years now. And Griner....?" a critic pointed out.
"I don’t really have an issue keeping Caitlin Clark off the roster, but there is no way Chelsea Gray off a torn Achilles and Diana Taurasi should be on that team if she couldn’t make the cut," a social media user furthered.
Another detractor shared, "How y'all keep putting Taurasi on this squad? She gotta have dirt on everybody."
"I know Taurasi is having a good year but she's like 20 years older than Caitlin and has a bunch of medals already. She's stealing a spot from someone who could be getting a great experience as the future of the team," a Clark supporter noted.
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi reacts to a foul against the Atlanta Dream during the home opener at the Footprint Center on May 18.
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
It remains to be seen what Caitlin Clark will say about her non-inclusion on the Olympic roster. It will also be interesting to see what Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi will have to say about the backlash they are getting.
Regardless of what Clark's fans feel, however, it is clear that USA Basketball put more premium on international experience when building the roster. As they look to defend their title, hopes are high that the women's team will continue to dominate the quadrennial affair.
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