Clark dropped from USA Basketball’s national team roster, according to AP Source; Taurasi is part of the sixth Olympic team

The person, who provided the full list to The Associated Press, spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because no official announcement had been made.

The decision was first reported by The Athletic.

Clark has some international experience with USA Basketball at a younger level, but she was unable to attend national training camp in Cleveland after being invited because she was leading Iowa to the Final Four. Clark finished his career as the all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader.

Clark, now a rookie with the Indiana Fever, attracted millions of new fans to women’s basketball during her college career and also during her young WNBA career.

Although Clark won’t travel to Paris, the United States is expected to host five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi for her sixth Olympics. Taurasi will be joined by Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

This will be Griner’s first time playing internationally since she was held in a Russian prison for 10 months in 2022. She has said she will only play overseas with USA Basketball.

Olympic veterans Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray will join the duo. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the United States win the first 3×3 gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games, will also be on the team.

A group of new Olympians will join the team with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three played on the U.S. team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.

The Americans have won every gold medal in women’s basketball since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Taurasi, who will turn 42 before the Paris Games, will break the record for the most Olympic Games played in the sport of basketball. Five players, including former teammate Sue Bird, took part in five competitions.

The American team will train together for a few days in Phoenix in July. Then head to London for an exhibition match against Germany before heading to France.

The Americans will face Japan, Belgium and Germany in pool play at the Olympics.

AP Paris Olympic coverage https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games