Clark left off USA Basketball national team roster, AP Source says; Taurasi makes sixth Olympic team

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FILE - Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

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FILE - Brittney Griner (15) runs up court during the women’s basketball gold medal game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. Griner will be playing in her first international game since spending 10 months in a Russian jail in 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, right, is defended by Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, June 7, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

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Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor (13) and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) smile during a stoppage in play during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Seattle. The Storm won 80-62. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives on Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith (1) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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FILE - Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark signs autographs for fans before the start of WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

By DOUG FEINBERG

Caitlin Clark won’t be headed to the Paris Olympics, according to a person familiar with the decision.

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

The decision was first reported by The Athletic.

Clark does have some international experience with USA Basketball at a younger level, but she couldn’t attend the national training camp in Cleveland after she was invited because she was leading Iowa to the Final Four. Clark finished her career as the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader.

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

While Clark won’t be headed to Paris, the U.S. is expected to take five-time gold medalist Diana Taurasi for a sixth Olympics. Taurasi will be joined by Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner.

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

Joining the pair will be Olympic veterans Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who helped the U.S. win the inaugural 3x3 gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, also will be on the team.

A bunch of first-time Olympians will join the team with Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu and Kahleah Copper. All three played on the American team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2022.

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

Taurasi, who turns 42 before the Paris Games, will break the record for most Olympics played in the sport of basketball. Five players, including former teammate Sue Bird, have competed in five.

The U.S. team will train together for a few days in Phoenix in July. Then its off to London for an exhibition game against Germany before heading to France.

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

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