Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi sort of gained a reputation as a Caitlin Clark skeptic, but that was before Clark ever stepped foot on a WNBA court. Now, however, it sounds as if Taurasi is a fan.
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Taurasi addressed Clark's omission from Team USA with some encouraging words, indicating that Clark only needs a little time before she becomes a regular member of the squad.
"The game of basketball is all about evolving. It's all about getting comfortable with your surroundings," Taurasi recently told USA Today. "College basketball is much different than the WNBA than it is overseas. Each one almost is like a different dance you have to learn. And once you learn the steps and the rhythm and you have a skill set that is superior to everyone else, everything else will fall into place."
Taurasi, 42, is on the team. She also made the team as a rookie in 2004. Clark, who has taken the WNBA to new heights as a rookie with the Indiana Fever, is the absolute fan favorite. Ratings for Team USA would soar if she were to play. But USA basketball officials decided on a veteran squad, with none of the 12 members being younger than 26.
Clark was a pro's pro about it, saying she understood and that she'll be rooting like crazy.
"I'm excited for the girls that are on the team," Clark told reporters, via ESPN. "I know it's the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way — me being on the team or me not being on the team. I'm going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be fun to watch them.
"Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there."
