Texas Senator Ted Cruz has openly criticized USA Basketball for excluding WNBA star Caitlin Clark from the Olympic roster. His comments followed the most-watched WNBA game in over two decades. The game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky on Sunday drew an average of 2.25 million viewers on CBS, with peak viewership hitting nearly 3 million.
Caitlin Clark, who was the number one pick in the latest WNBA draft, has been a standout figure this season, significantly boosting the league’s popularity. Despite her impressive NCAA career, where she became the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history, USA Basketball decided not to include her on the Olympic team. Jen Rizzotti, the chair of the USA Basketball selection committee, cited Clark’s lack of experience as the primary reason for her omission.
Cruz expressed his frustration on social media, saying, “And yet these imbeciles don’t want her on the Olympic team.” He emphasized Clark’s significant impact on the league and questioned the decision to leave her out of the Olympic squad.
Clark’s entry into the WNBA has spurred a surge in the league’s popularity, potentially increasing viewership and support for basketball at the Paris Games. Rizzotti, however, clarified that the selection committee’s focus was on forming the best possible team for head coach Cheryl Reeve, regardless of potential viewership numbers.
The exclusion of Clark has sparked widespread debate, with many fans and analysts surprised by the decision. Despite the controversy, USA Basketball remains committed to their strategy of prioritizing team cohesion and experience over individual star power.