Photos: Beyond the Game with Caitlin Clark and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith | The Gazette

Stephen A. Smith has shared his thoughts on Caitlin Clark being left off the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic roster, delivering a passionate commentary on the decision.

“I want all the ladies on this squad to know that every single one of you are deserving. Caitlin Clark does not deserve a spot ahead of any of the players on this roster — if we’re talking just basketball. You know we’re not,” Smith stated, emphasizing the merit of the current team members.

Drawing a parallel to the 1992 Dream Team, Smith reminded viewers of Christian Laettner’s controversial selection over Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning. “He was a 2-time national champion, he was a Wooden Award winner, and he was white,” Smith pointed out, suggesting that factors beyond pure skill played a role in his selection.

Smith continued, asserting that Caitlin Clark’s popularity should have warranted her a spot on the team. “First, the Olympics is one of the most viewed global events. It averages about 3 BILLION viewers. People are going to watch regardless of who is participating,” he argued.

However, he also noted the differences between Clark and Laettner’s collegiate achievements, highlighting that Laettner’s two championships set him apart. “Unlike Caitlin, Christian Laettner won 2 college championships. And I agree his popularity was on par with Caitlin’s when he came to the NBA, however, he went on to have a mediocre career in the league. Some would even say he was a bust,” Smith commented.

Smith posed a crucial question about the criteria for team selection: “What happened to earning a spot? Is Caitlin popular? Yes. Will she be a great player? Possibly. But she has done nothing this year to earn a spot on a team that is supposed to be comprised of the league’s best.”

He concluded by criticizing the inconsistent criteria used to select players: “People flip-flop on popularity and skill. One minute it’s let’s choose only the best, next minute it’s how are you gonna not pick someone for being popular. This isn’t a popularity contest. It’s about winning gold for the 8th straight Olympics.”

Smith’s passionate defense of the current roster underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between merit and popularity in sports selections, particularly in high-stakes international competitions like the Olympics.