Dawn Staley discussed Caitlin Clark's absence from Team USA during an Olympic broadcast.

What a comment this is. Having voiced my opinion over a month ago, I find it necessary to reiterate it from Paris: USA Basketball’s decision to exclude Caitlin Clark from the team stands as the most glaring player selection blunder I’ve witnessed in my 40 years of covering the Olympics. This oversight is nothing short of a monumental error.

Caitlin Clark is not on the USWNT roster in Paris.

Caitlin Clark’s remarkable performances have been a topic of widespread discussion, and this issue has only gained more attention as time has passed. Dawn Staley, a prominent member of the USWNT selection committee, was recently asked about Clark’s omission from the team. Reflecting on Clark’s current form, Staley conceded, “If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration for making the team because she is playing head…”

“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team,” Staley said. “The best players, the best talent. Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA. [She] wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now.

“If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration of making the team because she is playing head and shoulders above a lot of people.

Staley’s remarks underscore a critical realization of the missed opportunity to include Clark, whose skills and impact on the court have been nothing short of extraordinary. This acknowledgment comes as a bittersweet reminder of how decisions can sometimes overlook emerging talent despite their undeniable contributions to the game.

The snub of Caitlin Clark has sparked a broader conversation about player selection processes and the criteria used to determine team rosters. Her exclusion has been seen by many as a significant misstep, and the subsequent acknowledgment from a key figure in the selection committee only amplifies the gravity of the mistake.

As we look back on this decision, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing exceptional talent in the world of sports.