Caitlin Clark with towel on her shoulder (left) Diana Taurasi smiling (right)

Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi (Photos via Getty Images)

Diana Taurasi has reacted to Caitlin Clark’s Team USA snub following the Indiana Fever rookie’s failure to make the final roster.

While only a few rookies have made an Olympic team, Clark was expected to represent the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, this year.

Multiple explanations exist for her exclusion, including her lack of practice with the team. It’s also been reported that there were worries over how Clark’s many fans would react to her limited minutes.

Taurasi, 42, is one of the more controversial selections. While she’s been an Olympian on several occasions and has won five Olympic gold medals, many believe her run should be over by now.

The veteran was asked about Clark’s snub when she spoke to Yahoo Sports this week.

“Whenever you’re trying to cut down to 12 players from this amazing pool of players, there’s always going to be controversy… I think you see that with the all-star team, and the Olympic team really is the collection of the best players. 

“But, at the end of the day, USA basketball always has a firm grasp of what they need as a team,” she said.

Diana Taurasi Doesn’t Think Caitlin Clark Was The Best Fit

Many fans believe that Diana Taurasi prevented Caitlin Clark from making the team. There is a bit of a rift between the two following the Phoenix Mercury star telling the rookie, “Reality is coming,” ahead of the draft.

While Clark’s rookie season has hardly been smooth sailing, she’s putting up historic numbers and leads all rookies in scoring and assists with averages of 16.3 points per game and 6.0 assists per game.

It does appear that Taurasi doesn’t feel like the former Iowa standout was the best fit for the roster.

“I think people kind of lose track of no matter what, you have to make sure that 12 players fit to form that best team, not necessarily the best players,” she added.

The U.S. women’s basketball team is heavily favored to win gold in France this year, having dominated on the world stage for over 30 years. They’re hoping to continue in such a vein without Clark.