Lisa Leslie Had Fired-Up Message About Caitlin Clark’s Status for Team USA at Paris Olympics

The former WNBA star and four-time gold medalist wants to see Caitlin Clark repping the red, white and blue.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark's busy spring could turn into even a busier summer.

Clark spent her final moments in a Hawkeyes uniform battling undefeated South Carolina in the national championship game on April 7. On Monday, Clark likely will be selected by the Indiana Fever with the No. 1 draft pick, beginning her professional career.

But there's a chance Clark also will be rocking the red, white and blue with Team USA this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lisa Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist, wants to see Clark make USA Basketball's roster.

"She better be on the Olympic team," Leslie said to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "We should not leave the country without her. She's a bona fide baller. There's no doubt she's already one of the best players in the world."

Clark was the only collegiate athlete to be selected to Team USA's 14-player training camp roster in Cleveland. She missed the mandatory three-day camp, however, as it overlapped with Iowa's appearance in the Final Four.

The Team USA selection committee—which includes South Carolina coach Dawn Staley—will decide on the final roster that will head to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The 2024 WNBA season begins May 14. The league will take its typical month-long break for the Olympics from July 18 to Aug. 14.


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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.