SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 11: Cameron Brink #22 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts during the game Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 11, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Fans were confused by USA Basketball’s decision to add Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby as an injury replacement on the 3×3 women’s team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Cameron Brink was initially on the team, although she suffered a season-ending torn ACL during a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 18 and was unable to participate.

Although fans called for Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to replace Brink, she wasn’t eligible for a spot on the U.S. roster as she did not participate in any prior 3×3 competitions and did not earn any FIBA 3×3 ranking points as a result.

Even if she was eligible to make the team, it would have been difficult to replace a shot-blocking center such as Brink with a sharpshooting guard such as Clark. Still, fans wanted the standout Fever rookie to earn a spot on the team and wondered why she wasn’t eligible.

Although Clark won’t be making the trip to Paris after she didn’t earn a spot on the 5×5 Team USA roster, she’s still in the midst of an impressive inaugural season with the Fever.