The Women’s Olympic Basketball Team won gold in Paris, but it was a close one; now, some speculate that Caitlyn Clark could have brought home an easy win.

DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 31: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 77-73 during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

By Maliyah Simone, CRDN
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

The 2024 Olympic games in Paris were a huge success for the US as the team secured 126 total medals including 40 golds, 44 silvers, 42 bronzes. This win marks the eighth consecutive year that the US has topped the charts.

The Women’s Basketball team took home gold this year after a hard-fought and thrilling performance. However, fans speculated a scenario in which Caitlyn Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, had been eligible to compete for the Olympic Women’s team.

Clark is a dynamic point guard known for her exceptional scoring capabilities and overall court vision. She has become well known for dominating the college basketball scene during her time playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Her career points are the highest in the NCAA with Clark scoring 3,951 points throughout her time in Iowa.

Caitlyn Clark possesses a unique ability to score points from anywhere on the court. Her range and accuracy are unparalleled, and she is known for creating her own shots. The high-pressure environment that is the Olympics could mean the difference between a disappointing loss.

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. Transitioning from college basketball to the Olympic level presents significant challenges; it would have been difficult for Clark to adjust to the increased physicality and competition. Olympic games are often characterized by intense pressure and scrutiny, which some say could have affected her performance.

Ultimately, whether or not Caitlyn Clark would have been able to lead the U.S. women’s basketball team to Olympic gold is a matter of conjecture. However, it is clear that she possesses the talent and potential to be a dominant force at the highest level of the sport. While the current team delivered an impressive performance, the addition of a player like Clark could have made them even more formidable.