Jason Whitlock slams Dawn Staley for backtracking on Caitlin Clark’s Team USA snub (Image credit: Getty)

Jason Whitlock, on behalf of Caitlin Clark, charged against South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley. Staley, a member of the USWNT committee, addressed Clark’s exclusion from the 2024 Team USA roster. Speaking ahead of the team’s debut against Japan tomorrow, Staley explained why Clark wasn’t considered for the 12-player roster to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent,” she said during CNBC’s live coverage of the marquee affair. “Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA. Wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now.

“If we had to do it all over again, the way that she’s playing, she would be in really high consideration to make it the team because she is playing head and shoulders above a lot of people, shooting the ball extremely well. She’s an elite passer, she just got a great basketball IQ and she’s a little more seasoned in the pro game than she was two months ago.”

Jason Whitlock took issue with these comments and called out Staley on X/Twitter, saying:

“The women’s Olympic basketball team was leaked on June 9. So, according to Dawn Staley, Caitlin Clark’s first 12 WNBA games decided her fate. Just admit y’all were petty and blew a huge opportunity. USA women’s team is irrelevant without CC.”

Caitlin Clark spoke about Olympic snub ahead of WNBA All-Star Game

Before facing the Olympic team in the WNBA All-Star game last weekend, Caitlin Clark made it clear she had no bad blood or extra motivation to face Team USA:

“I’m not motivated by anything, honestly. I’m just going out there to have fun. I’m not here to prove to anybody anything. … I have so much respect for Team USA. I have so much respect for their coaching staff. They have the most talented team in the world. They’re going to have no issue winning gold.

“I’m going to be supporting them, cheering them on. So for me, this is never a, ‘I should be on that team.’ I know I have so many ways to continue to improve, and it gives you motivation for something to compete for in four years. So for myself, I feel lucky enough to be here as a WNBA All-Star, and I’m just going to enjoy that.”

As Angel Reese stated, she and Clark will have the chance to compete for their country in 2028.