In a surprising turn of events, Canada may benefit from USA Basketball’s decision to leave Caitlin Clark off the roster for the Paris Olympics. The rookie WNBA sensation and all-time college scoring leader has been notably excluded from the U.S. national team lineup, sparking intrigue and speculation across the basketball world.

Sources indicate that the Team USA roster, which includes stars like Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, will not feature Clark. Despite her impressive start in the WNBA, where she was named Rookie of the Month for May, Clark’s inconsistencies and high turnover rate have been cited as reasons for her exclusion. Her shooting accuracy has fluctuated, with a 32.7% success rate from beyond the arc, just above the league average, and her 67 turnovers are the highest in the league.

While her absence can be justified from an on-court performance standpoint, it undeniably passes up an opportunity to generate additional excitement around the competition. Clark’s presence in the WNBA has been transformative, drawing larger crowds and necessitating larger venues to accommodate the surge in fan interest. Her games have become a must-see event, boosting the league’s profile and even prompting teams to fly charter for the first time.

However, Caitlin Clark’s story might take an international twist. Team Canada has publicly extended an invitation to Clark, leveraging her dual citizenship status through her mother. A spokesperson for Team Canada stated, “Caitlin has citizenship through her mom. She would be a welcome addition to Team Canada if the US doesn’t want her.” This move could dramatically shift the competitive landscape of the upcoming Olympics, offering Canada a potential edge with Clark’s inclusion.

The formal announcement of Team USA’s roster is still pending, and a spokesperson for the team confirmed that no official decision has been released yet. The initial report of Clark’s omission was first published by The Athletic, and it has since been corroborated by multiple sources, including NBC News.

For Clark, the decision ahead is significant. Joining Team Canada would not only provide her with the opportunity to compete at the highest level but also to showcase her talents on an international stage, potentially against her home country. The basketball world waits in anticipation to see if she will accept Canada’s offer and bring her electrifying play to the Paris games under a different flag.

As the Olympic roster decisions unfold, Caitlin Clark stands at a crossroads that could define her young career. Will she take the opportunity to shine with Team Canada, or will she remain sidelined, waiting for another chance with Team USA? The basketball community will be watching closely.