Like everything else Caitlin Clark related, the decision not to include her on this summer’s Olympic roster has created controversy and debate.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin briefly weighed in on Monday during an appearance on the nationally syndicated radio talk show, the “Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.”
Youngkin is a former college basketball player having played four years at Rice in the 1980s and was asked about Clark’s snubbing from the Olympic squad that will be headed to Paris next month.
The sitting governor called the decision “really crazy” and sung Clark’s praises.
“At the end of the day, nobody can deny the fact that she has completely transformed fans’ interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball,” Youngkin said.
The Virginia governor used the example of a recent game between the Mystics and the Clark-led Fever in nearby Washington D.C., when the game drew so much interest that they moved it to 20,000-seat Capital One Arena, where it sold out.
Capital One Arena is home to the NBA’s Wizards.
The Mystics typically play in the 4,200-seat Entertainment and Sports Arena.
“Caitlin Clark comes to town and they move [the game] to the Capital One that seats 20,000 people and they sell it out. Let me be honest the Wizards weren’t selling out, so that’s all Caitlin Clark,” Youngkin said. “She deserves a spot on the team. This isn’t a knock against any of the other players, they’re all fabulous players. But there have been rookies who have made the Olympic team before. Diana Taurasi made it and Candace Parker made it as rookies.
“She can make it as a rookie. She is transforming women’s basketball and she should have a spot on the team.”
Clark was limited to just 10 points in the Fever’s loss to the Sun on Monday, when she recorded her fourth fewest points of the season and shot just 3-for-8 from the field.
Clark took the high road over the weekend when she was asked about not being picked for the Olympic roster, saying she was “excited” for those who made the team.
“Honestly, no disappointment,” Clark said. “I think it just gives you something to work for. It’s a dream, hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little bit more motivation. You remember that and hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there.”
