“It’s got to be a combination of an entire body of work”: USA Basketball will look at Caitlin Clark’s WNBA start as audition for 2024 Olympics

With the 2024 WNBA regular season set to tip off on May 14, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark could earn a spot on Team USA's roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Clark's performance in the WNBA would serve as an audition for an opportunity to play hoops in this year's Olympic Games.

There will be a lot of expectations for Clark to be included in the US Olympic squad. Clark's fanbase isn't the only one looking forward to seeing her play in the WNBA. USA Basketball selection committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti will also be watching her games.

“You always want to introduce new players into the pool whether it’s for now or the future,” Rizzotti told The Associated Press. “We stick to our principles of talent, obviously, positional fit, loyalty and experience. It’s got to be a combination of an entire body of work. It’s still not going to be fair to some people.”

If Caitlin Clark is included in Team USA's roster, she would be the third WNBA rookie to join the US Olympic team since Breanna Stewart in 2016 and Candace Parker in 2008.

Playing for the US 3x3 team could be an alternative route for Caitlin Clark to play at the Paris Games

USA Basketball has already begun assembling a pool for the 2024 Paris Games. Though Caitlin Clark has yet to play her first game in the WNBA, having her on the Women's Olympic squad could also be on the horizon.

Clark has already played for the flag at the FIBA U-16 Americas championship in 2017 and won two gold medals at the FIBA U-19 Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2021. Despite it all, Clark has yet to crack the seniors' national team.

Should Caitlin Clark make Team USA's pool but not make the final 12, there's another route for her to take: the Women's 3x3 Olympic team.

Per the Associated Press, Clark's possible inclusion in the 3x3 team could also be her ticket to Paris. However, Clark's goal is to make the 5x5 US Olympic team.

"Three-on-three is really cool, I’ve just never done it. But 5-on-5 is the goal and the dream. To play with the best in the world and against the best in the world, you can’t script it better than that,” Clark said.

Caitlin Clark will make her WNBA debut against the Connecticut Sun on May 14 at 8 p.m. ET.