” Hey coach, they woke up a monster in me. “Last June, Christie Sides said she heard these words from her player, Caitlin Clarkafter the announcement of the American squad sent to the Paris Olympic Games, in which the Fever phenomenon was not selected.
Author of an average start to the season, compared to expectations, the “monster” has woken up so well since then that today, the Team USA authorities are making another reading of the selection process from a few months ago.
” Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA, she wasn't playing bad, but she wasn't playing like she's playing now. “, Dawn Staley saysmember of the selection committee which established the list of invited players.
A look at the statistical production of the Indiana Fever phenomenon proves the manager right. Before the roster was announced, she was averaging 16 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds with a meager 37% success rate.
Since then? Caitlin Clark has increased that line to nearly 18 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, on 43% shooting.
Also, in addition to contributing to the explosion of the popularity of her championship, she became the first rookie to record a triple-double, then followed up with the record for assists in a WNBA game.
A more seasoned professional
” If she had to do it all over again, with the way she's playing, she'd be a great fit to be on the team because she's above the rest. She's a great shooter, she's an amazing passer, she's got a great basketball IQ. And she's a little more seasoned in the professional game than she was two months ago. ” continues Dawn Staley.
“Victim” of her start to the season, the 22-year-old player also paid for the choice of the American leaders to send an experienced team to obtain an eighth consecutive gold medal.
The youngest players on the team, Sabrina Ionescu and Jackie Young, are only 26 years old.
” We were supposed to give coach Cheryl Reeve a team that was experienced and familiar with international competition, with that coaching framework, with leadership skills, versatility and depth in all positions. The 12 we selected seemed to us to be the best “, defends the president of the national team committee, Jen Rizzotti.
One thing is certain, the Americans did not really suffer from the absence of Caitlin Clark to succeed in their start to the tournament against the Japanese yesterday.
