Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster 2024: Notable Snubs from the Olympic Team!

Introduction

The 2024 Olympics in Paris are just around the corner, and the women’s basketball tournament is set to draw significant attention. Team USA, the favorite, aims for an eighth consecutive gold medal. However, the selection process for the Olympic team has left some big names off the roster, stirring discussions among fans and analysts.

Notable Exclusions

1. Caitlin Clark – Guard, Indiana Fever

• Achievements:
• No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
• Fourth in the league in assists.
• On pace to be the fifth player in WNBA history to average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a season.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Turnover issues and difficulty handling physical play.
• Concerns about managing her playing time on a roster full of experienced players.
• The USA Basketball veterans were worried about the reaction from her large fan base due to limited playing time.
• Future Outlook: Expected to be a key player for the 2028 Olympic team.

2. Arike Ogunbowale – Guard, Dallas Wings

• Achievements:
• Second in the WNBA in scoring with 26.6 points per game.
• Career-highs in assists (5.0) and steals (3.1) per game.
• Has participated in training camps and exhibition games but never made the final Olympic roster.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Despite high performance, she has consistently been just outside the final selection.
• Future Outlook: Still has the potential to break into the roster with continued strong performances.

3. Skylar Diggins-Smith – Guard, Seattle Storm

• Achievements:
• Veteran player with Olympic experience from Tokyo.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Personal circumstances, including a recent maternity leave.
• Did not participate in the April training camp.
• Future Outlook: Likely to take a break and focus on family.

4. Ariel Atkins – Guard, Washington Mystics

• Achievements:
• Gold medals at the 2020 Olympics and 2022 World Cup.
• Known as one of the best perimeter defenders.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Struggling this season with a career-low 30.0% three-point shooting.
• Deep competition in the backcourt.
• Future Outlook: Needs to regain form to be considered for future tournaments.

5. Dearica Hamby – Forward, Los Angeles Sparks

• Achievements:
• Averaging career-highs with 20.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 54.9% shooting.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Tough competition and the difficulty of breaking into a team filled with established players.
• Future Outlook: Potentially a strong candidate for future consideration if she maintains her performance.

6. Nneka Ogwumike – Forward, Seattle Storm

• Achievements:
• Consistently excellent performance in the WNBA.
• Reason for Exclusion:
• Past controversy over her exclusion from the Tokyo Olympics.
• Attempted to play for Team Nigeria, but was denied by FIBA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• Future Outlook: Unlikely to play for Team USA again due to the complications from the past.

Roster Analysis

Criticisms:

• Diana Taurasi: At 41 years old, some question if she should still take up a roster spot. However, her experience and commitment have earned her a place on the team.
• Chelsea Gray: Selected despite not playing in eight months due to a foot injury. If she recovers in time, her presence as the world’s best point guard is justified. If not, an alternate can be named.

Roster Strengths:

• Experience and Depth: The team has a mix of veteran stars and promising talents, making it one of the strongest lineups in Olympic basketball.

Conclusion

Choosing the final roster for Team USA women’s basketball is always challenging due to the abundance of talent. While the selected team is strong, notable players like Caitlin Clark, Arike Ogunbowale, and others were left out, sparking debates about their future roles in international play. As the Olympics approach, the team aims to continue its legacy of excellence in Paris.

References

• WNBA Player Stats
• Team USA Official Roster Announcement
• Caitlin Clark Exclusion Report
• Arike Ogunbowale Performance
• Skylar Diggins-Smith Profile
• Nneka Ogwumike’s Background

This article provides a clear, detailed overview of the major snubs from the Team USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Olympics.