USA Basketball defends decision to leave Caitlin Clark off the 2024 Paris Olympics team

Fans were disappointed earlier this week when Caitlin Clark, the first round overall draft pick for the WNBA, was not on the U.S. women's basketball team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, USA Basketball has responded.

Selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti told the Associated Press it all comes down to the criteria for choosing players. Experience was a factor.

"And when you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes," Rizzotti said. "Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for Cheryl [Reeve] and then sometimes a vote."