The WNBA is receiving unprecedented popularity this season. While that’s certainly a positive step for the league, it comes with its drawbacks. In particular, it’s created a strange, and frankly unnecessary division between longtime WNBA players and fans against the rookie class and its fans.

Diana Taurasi proves why she deserved Team USA Olympics call after Caitlin Clark snub - The Mirror US

Over the weekend, reports surfaced that Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and Indiana Fever rookie, has been left off the 12-player Team USA squad. The roster is full of elite players, most of whom have Olympic experience like Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.

The Team USA committee has faced backlash in recent days for adding Taurasi over Clark. But make no mistake: Taurasi has earned this opportunity. She’s a five-time gold medalist and a savvy veteran playmaker.

Taurasi has seen much of the fan dialogue suggesting Clark should take Taurasi’s spot on the roster. But instead of engaging in that debate, the WNBA veteran took the high road when she addressed the situation on Monday. She believes “everything else will fall into place” for Clark when it’s supposed to.


WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi sent a six-word message to Caitlin Clark on Monday. Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports© Provided by Athlon Sports

“The game of basketball is all about evolving. It’s all about getting comfortable with your surroundings,” Taurasi said, via 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.”

Diana Taurasi is one of the most accomplished players in women’s basketball history. Her opinion holds some weight to it.

Clark still has some growing to do, and being left off of Team USA’s roster could prove to be a pivotal point in her professional career.