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USA Basketball has reportedly finalized the roster for the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024. According to sources, the team featuring 12 players doesn’t have Indiana Fever star rookie and No.1 overall draft pick Caitlin Clark. The U.S. women have a history of brilliant campaigns at the Olympics, where they have won gold at every edition since 1996. The distinguished roster reportedly decided by the officials appears to be a favorite once again.
According to The Athletic, the expected Team USA women’s basketball squad for the Olympics 2024 will comprise of A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper. Stewart is likely to headline the USA roster for the upcoming global competition.
As per the reports, Clark, who made several headlines off lately with her exceptional gameplay and emerged as one of the most promising names in the WNBA will be left out of the 12-woman squad. The reports also stated that Clark could be named as an alternate. The 22-year-old has spoken about what would it mean to her if she gets picked in the squad.
Clark told TODAY, "That’s one of my dreams as a kid. Growing up, you always want to be an Olympic gold medalist. Lucky enough, I’ve been able to play for a few junior national teams in their basketball system, so I know how special it is to represent USA across your chest.” If the reported roster is true, three out of 12 players will play in the Olympics for the first time including, Thomas, Copper and Ionescu. Apart from them, Diana Taurasi, who will soon turn 42 will participate in her sixth Olympic.
