"I took a lot of bullets" - Cheryl Reeve opens up on Caitlin Clark's snub from Team USA Olympics roster

Minnesota Lynx and Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve has opened up on Caitlin Clark's Olympic snub. Reeve explained that she had no power over who would be selected but "took a lot of bullets" when the roster was announced.

On "Good Game with Sarah Spain" on iHeartPodcasts, Reeve was asked about Clark's snub from the Team USA roster that eventually won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Reeve understood the rage and criticism back then and also knew that she'd likely get blamed.

"I think what people don't get about it, and it's OK, you can't change what people think. The coach of the national team truly has no power in the selection of the team. ... If there's ever a time for people to understand that the coach has no say in it, this is one of those times.

"But I get (it), you know, in this day and age, you've got to assign blame somewhere. I took a lot of bullets for USA Basketball. ... When you sign up for the position, it is what it is," Reeve said. [H/T Bleacher Report]

There were several explanations why Team USA's selection committee decided to not include Caitlin Clark. She was unable to participate in April's training camp due to playing in the Final Four with Iowa. Another was her inexperience in playing with veteran players, which could have created problems.

Nevertheless, the snub was blasted by many analysts and personalities because Team USA would still have won the gold medal with Clark on the roster. Some even called it a missed opportunity to grow the WNBA and women's basketball internationally.

The snub aged poorly, though, given that Clark finished the season fourth in the WNBA MVP voting, meaning that she's already a top-five player in the league as a rookie. She just had a rough start to the season, but it didn't mean that she wouldn't have fit with the Team USA roster.

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Cheryl Reeve praised Caitlin Clark last month

Cheryl Reeve finally praised Caitlin Clark last month. (Photo: IMAGN)

Apart from the Team USA snub, coach Cheryl Reeve also received flak from fans for how she took shots at Caitlin Clark when given the chance. Reeve had made some NSFW comments about Clark earlier in the season before changing her tone last month.

Before the Minnesota Lynx-Indiana Fever game last month, Reeve praised Clark's game. She pointed out her pace, shooting and passing as game-changers, which her team would need to prepare for.

"What I have seen, coming into the season and watching her in college, I said the single best thing that she does that young players don't do is she plays at an incredible pace. I know the sexier part is the logo three, but pace and passing is what makes her exceptional in my mind," Reeve said.

If the Lynx and Fever win their respective first-round matchups, they will meet in the semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs.