Rachel Nichols on the set and Caitlin Clark looking on during a game.Rachel Nichols and Caitlin Clark (Photos via ESPN and Getty)
During a recent episode of ‘Undisputed,’ Rachel Nichols discussed Caitlin Clark not being selected for Team USA for the Summer Olympics. She expressed that Clark will have numerous opportunities to be selected for Team USA in the future and advised Clark not to rush to be added to the roster. Nichols also mentioned that Clark is not currently suited for the Olympics.

“There’s a lot of time for Caitlin Clark to make an Olympic team. We expect her to make many Olympic teams in the future. There was no reason to rush her onto this roster and put her in a position where she wouldn’t have been a fit. I love the news that she might be an alternate because that will put her around all of these players,” Nichols said.

Clark has rapidly built a substantial fan base and support in a very short time. However, this popularity has also attracted negative attention from other players. Following her debut in the WNBA, Clark has been dealing with significant jealousy and criticism. She encounters hostility both on and off the court.

Nichols agrees with Team USA’s decision for Clark

Nichols further mentioned that she agreed with Team USA’s decision and predicted that Clark would secure a good spot in the Olympics in the future.

“I absolutely think Team USA made the right decision here. I expect her to be on the Olympic teams in the future because she will earn her spot, not because she’s popular.” Nichols added.

Despite the Indiana Fever’s disappointing start to the season with only three wins and ten losses, the star player Clark has had a promising beginning to her WNBA career. She has been averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. In a recent game against the Connecticut Sun, Clark scored 10 points and provided two assists. However, after the game, Sun’s player DiJonai Carrington publicly criticized Clark for fouling her on the perimeter during the second quarter. Additionally, during an interview after the game, Carrington was questioned about whether the Sun’s strategy for guarding Clark had changed for the third time.