Caitlin Clark© Provided by Next Impulse Sports

On Saturday morning, WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark was officially left off of the Team USA roster ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic games in a decision that shocked many fans around the country, given her surge in popularity in recent months and years. But the reason for that decision has now been revealed.

According to a report from Christine Brennan of USA Today, Caitlin Clark was left off of the Team USA roster due to concern about how fans would react to the limited playing time she was expected to receive if she did make the veteran-heavy roster.

“Two other sources, both long-time U.S. basketball veterans with decades of experience in the women’s game, told USA TODAY Sports Friday that concern over how Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time on a stacked roster was a factor in the decision making. If true, that would be an extraordinary admission of the tension that this multi-million-dollar sensation, who signs autographs for dozens of children before and after every game, has caused for the old guard of women’s basketball. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter,” Brennan wrote for USA Today.

While Clark is among the most exciting players in the league, she is not quite as proven as the other players who made the roster. So even if she did make the roster, she was unlikely to get all that much playing time.