Caitlin Clark Could Find Herself Representing Team USA At The Paris Olympics In Shocking Turn Of Events
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink had the entire sports world praying for her after she suffered a left knee injury during the first quarter of her team’s road game against the Connecticut Sun, and now her diagnosis could lead to a gain for Caitlin Clark.
Less than 24 hours after her injury, her final diagnosis was revealed, and it showed that the rookie’s season was officially over after she suffered a torn ACL.
Her injury was bad for the Los Angeles Sparks and Team USA, as she was a star on the women’s 3×3 basketball squad. Brink was selected to the four-member squad along with Valencia forward Cierra Burdick, Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, and TCU guard Hailey Van Lith.
Now that she will be unable to play, rumors are surfacing that Caitlin Clark might get a chance to represent the country in Paris after she was snubbed from the 5×5 team.
Caitlin Clark going to them Olympics man
— M (@MCML93) June 19, 2024
always making time for the kids 🥰
Caitlin Clark signs autographs ahead of tonight’s game at @GainbridgeFH. pic.twitter.com/qIxwGSVUVE
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 19, 2024
That leaves a guard spot open on the 🇺🇸 Women’s 3v3 Olympic team.
Hmmm… who could fill that spot and bring in TONS of viewers for the 3v3 competition? @usabasketball #CaitlinClark https://t.co/iSM8Z0iTK0 pic.twitter.com/XGG1bXh3dS
— Corey Clayton (@CoreyClayton) June 19, 2024
Although the move would certainly increase ratings and please her fan base, Caitlin Clark is not an option for the team.
According to FIBA eligibility for the Olympic 3×3 roster, as stated by USA Today, two of the four players must be ranked inside the top 10 of their country’s talent pool, and the other two must be ranked in the top 50.
However, to gain those ranking points, a player would have to have previously competed in 3×3 events. Unfortunately for Clark, she has not played in any 3×3 competitions, which would leave her ineligible as a replacement.
UPDATE: Clarity on who *might* qualify for 3×3 with Cameron Brink out.
Left is FIBA eligibility criteria.
Right is all the USA players who are currently top 250 worldwide in FIBA’s 3×3 points system and *could meet* the criteria for consideration.
Hamby is the *likely* pick. https://t.co/mujuzfhPqq pic.twitter.com/kNQBU1wVq2
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 19, 2024
Caitlin Clark Responds To Cameron Brink’s Injury
Terrible news hit the sporting world on Wednesday when it was announced that rookie forward Cameron Brink sustained an ACL injury in Tuesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun, ending her season.
Fellow rookie and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who was selected right before Brink in the WNBA Draft, responded when asked about it.
“Obviously devastating. You don’t want to see anybody deal with any sort of injury, (especially) an injury of that magnitude,” Clark said. “I know she’s the type of person that’ll be able to get through it and come out of it stronger.
“But yeah, it just breaks your heart. She’s such a good basketball player but an even better person. Obviously, knowing her and her being one of my friends and going through this process together from when we were 17 years old. Like, we were roommates on the road in Thailand. Getting to share draft weekend together, award shows our junior year of college.”
Brink will, unfortunately, end her rookie campaign early, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, per ESPN.com.
