How the U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Roster was Selected
The U.S. women’s national team committee chair, Jen Rizzotti, recently explained the process behind selecting the Olympic women’s basketball roster and addressed why rookie Caitlin Clark did not make the cut. Rizzotti stated that the committee prioritized players who were familiar with each other and with Olympic coach Cheryl Reeve’s system. Since Clark did not attend a senior Team USA training camp due to her participation in the Final Four with Iowa, she lacked the necessary familiarity and experience.
In an interview with The Athletic, Rizzotti detailed the criteria used in the decision-making process. The committee aimed to provide Reeve with a team that had experience and familiarity with international competition, as well as leadership abilities, versatility, and depth at every position. Ultimately, they selected the 12 players they believed were the best fit for the team.
The chosen roster consists of nine players who have previously participated in the Olympics, including 3×3 competition. These players are WNBA MVPs, All-Stars, and All-WNBA honorees with extensive USA Basketball experience. Additionally, three first-time Olympians made the cut: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, and Sabrina Ionescu.
Rizzotti acknowledged the widespread buzz surrounding Clark’s absence from the roster. However, she emphasized that the committee followed the given criteria, which included factors like attitude, adaptability to the international game, and likelihood of contributing to team success. Marketability, popularity, TV viewership, and jersey sales were not considerations in the decision-making process.
One notable consideration during the selection process was whether not choosing Clark aligned with USA Basketball’s mission to promote and elevate the game at all levels. Rizzotti acknowledged this aspect of their mission but stated that winning Olympic gold medals was also a crucial part of USA Basketball’s goals. The committee’s job was to select the best team based on the given criteria, and they did so while considering Clark’s college success and performance in the WNBA.
Rizzotti refuted a USA Today report that suggested the committee’s concern about Clark’s fans’ reactions to her potential limited playing time influenced their decision. She clarified that the committee does not determine playing time; their role is to assemble the best team. Playing time considerations are not within their purview.
The current roster includes Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray, who has yet to play in the WNBA this season due to a lower-leg injury sustained during the 2023 WNBA Finals. Rizzotti expressed confidence that Gray will be able to compete at a high level in the Olympics, as USA Basketball has been in contact with her and her representation.
Compared to previous rosters, this year’s selection skews older, with the youngest players being 26 years old. Rizzotti likened the challenge of assembling Team USA’s roster to building a WNBA team, where finding room for young players can be difficult due to the league’s depth and strength. She explained that evaluating college players against women in their prime is a significant difference. However, Rizzotti believes that the current roster includes young players who will continue the team’s legacy and pave the way for future Olympians in 2028.
One unique aspect of the selection process is that it occurs during the WNBA season. Rizzotti addressed concerns about how early-season performances may have influenced the committee’s evaluation. She stated that while they considered the entire body of work, they also aimed for a holistic approach, taking into account depth, versatility, and experience. Individual performances on WNBA teams could not be the sole determining factor, as players often have different roles when playing for USA Basketball.
In conclusion, the selection process for the U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic roster involved prioritizing familiarity, experience, leadership abilities, versatility, and depth at every position. The committee followed the given criteria and focused on building a team that could compete at the highest level. Despite the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s absence, the committee maintained its integrity and made decisions based solely on basketball-related factors.