As the USA Women’s Basketball team strutted their stuff at the Paris  Olympics, there was a curious specter looming over the court – and it wasn’t a player. It was a fan, clad in the now-legendary number 22 Iowa jersey, belonging to none other than Caitlin Clark. Yes, folks, the Caitlin Clark fan club is out in full force, and they’re making sure everyone knows their idol’s snub was a colossal blunder.

Caitlin Clark fan protest steals the headlines during USA Olympic basketball game | Marca

The Clark Conundrum

Despite not making the Team USA roster, 22-year-old Caitlin Clark is stealing the headlines. As Team USA pummeled Germany at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, a young fan in Clark’s jersey was the real MVP, turning heads and trending on Twitter faster than a Kardashian’s latest scandal.

Fans have been in uproar since July when the roster was announced without their darling Clark. The selectors’ decision is being criticized harder than a ref who forgot his glasses. During Thursday’s game against Japan, one bold fan even held a sign that read, “You need Caitlin Clark to beat us,” because subtlety is overrated.

Taurasi vs. Clark: The Great Debate

If you thought this controversy would quietly simmer, think again. The game against Japan saw Diana Taurasi, the basketball veteran, struggle in the first quarter, prompting Clark’s supporters to flood social media with stats. Clark’s impressive averages of 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game overshadow Taurasi’s 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. Numbers don’t lie, but apparently, selectors do – at least according to the Clark contingent.

USA’s Dominance Marred by Fan Dissent

While Cheryl Reeve’s squad continues to bulldoze their way through the group stage, clinching a win over Germany and securing their spot in the knockout rounds, the elephant in the room is the debate over Clark’s exclusion. It’s a question that’s been gnawing at fans and analysts alike: Was leaving Clark out a strategic move, or a blunder of epic proportions?

Caitlin Clark’s Ghost Haunts Team USA: Fan Protests Steal Olympic Spotlight

Stephen A. Smith’s Scathing Verdict

Veteran journalist Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words, branding the decision as “stupid” on live TV. Smith argued that Clark’s addition would not only have beefed up the team’s gameplay but also boosted their popularity – and let’s face it, who doesn’t want a few more fans? Clark’s star power in the WNBA has been a major revenue booster for the  Indiana Fever, and Smith is convinced her absence in the  Olympics is a missed marketing bonanza.

The Caitlin Clark Saga Continues

As Team USA marches on, the debate rages. Whether you’re Team Taurasi or Team Clark, one thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark’s spirit is haunting these  Olympic Games. Will her absence be the ghost that comes back to bite the selectors, or will Team USA’s performance silence the critics?

Stay tuned, folks. The Caitlin Clark saga is far from over, and who knows what twist awaits in the next chapter of this  Olympic drama.