Before the American women’s basketball team’s showdown with the French team at the Olympics on Monday, a Japanese fan carried a Caitlin Clark sign to poke fun at the team.
Reporter Kerith Burke of NBC Sports Bay Area observed athletes from Team USA, including A’ja Wilson and Brittney Griner, pointing at the billboard. The Americans wanted to defeat Japan in a rematch of the gold medal match from the 2020 Olympics in order to continue their incredible run of victories abroad.
WNBA All-Stars and Caitlin Clark
During the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Phoenix, Arike Ogunbowale, right, of Team WNBA, celebrates with teammates Caitlin Clark, centre, and Aliyah Boston, left, following her 3-point basket against Team USA. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
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The placard said, “You need Caitlin Clark to beat us.”
Caitlin Clark or anyone else didn’t seem to be necessary for Team USA to overcome Japan. The game was won by the Americans, 102–76.
Las Vegas Aces player Wilson finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocked shots. The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Wilson’s teammate Kelsey Plum, Griner of the Phoenix Mercury, and Stewart’s teammate Sabrina Ionescu all scored eleven points apiece.
When the Olympic roster was chosen back in June, Clark was not included. At the time, she had only played in a handful of WNBA games.
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Women’s basketball team from Team USA
Before their match versus Team Japan on July 29, 2024, in the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Paris, France, Team USA performs their national anthem. (Photo by NBAE/Jesse D. Garrabrant via Getty Images))
However, as the season progressed, Clark recorded a triple-double and, in two different games, established the record for the most assists in a single game (19).
Dawn Staley seemed to have a different opinion of the youngster after seeing Clark perform.
“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent,” Staley told NBC. “Caitlin is a rookie in the WNBA; her previous performance wasn’t poor, but it wasn’t as good as her current game. She is playing so well that if we had to start over, there is no doubt that she would be a strong candidate to make the team since she is outperforming a lot of players.