Caitlin Clark, the top pick in this year’s WNBA draft and a rising star with the Indiana Fever, recently shared her thoughts on not making the U.S. women’s basketball Olympic team. Despite the disappointment that many expected, Clark expressed a surprisingly positive outlook, emphasizing motivation and respect.

“Honestly, no disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. It’s just a little more motivation; you remember that. Hopefully, when four years come back around, I could be there,” Clark shared.

The selection committee handled the situation with respect, personally notifying her before the public announcement. “They called me and let me know before everything came out, which was really respectful of them. They did the same for every girl that made the team or every girl that didn’t make the team,” she added.

Clark is taking this time to focus on rest and recovery, viewing it as a beneficial break from the intense demands of professional basketball. “I’ve loved competing every single second, but it’s gonna be a great month for my body to get rest and get healthy and just get a little time away from basketball. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity for us to work and get better. A great opportunity for myself to get in the weight room, to work on the court, and work on things that I want to get better at that maybe I didn’t have time for going from college to the pro season.”

With this positive mindset, Clark is poised to use this period to enhance her skills and return stronger. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this setback fuels her determination and contributes to her growth as a player. Clark’s focus on improvement and resilience exemplifies the attitude of a true athlete, turning challenges into opportunities for progress.