“Hey coach, they woke a monster.” This was the initial reaction from the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer Caitlin Clark the moment she found out that her name wasn’t included in the 12-member squad chosen for the 2024 Paris Olympics. And indeed it was true as the 6-foot-guard soon unleashed herself by tumbling multiple rookie records in her debut season. Now, as the 4-year spectacle is just around the corner, she once again puts forth her thoughts regarding how she feels about representing her country on such a huge global platform.

The Indiana Fever lost a crucial road game at the College Park Center on Wednesday evening despite a historic exhibition from Caitlin Clark which included 24 points and record-breaking 19 assists. But, before that, the 6-foot-guard addressed a range of queries put forth by the media. One of them was the obvious angle of her Team USA snub from this year’s Olympics. She responded, “Obviously I would love to be at the Olympics. That’s something I can work for. Hopefully, I can achieve that one day. It gives you some motivation to want to be there”. 

Nonetheless, her absence from the Olympics also brings some much-needed break for the rookie. As soon as she hung up her college basketball shoes, her professional journey kick-started. Consequently, this might have resulted in her mental and physical state taking quite a toll. She reflected on it in her further comments which read, “It will be really good for myself and my body. I feel like I’ve been non-stop going since probably like September of last year. Almost getting close to like a whole year of just playing basketball non-stop.” 

However, before Caitlin Clark enjoys her fitting vacation, she made sure to deliver yet another emphatic statement.

Caitlin Clark roars out loud in Texas

Courtney Vandersloot’s assist record was next in line for the 2× USBWA National Player of the Year when the Fever locked horns against the Wings. Seemingly, the occasion provided Clark with the opportunity to go past her tally of 18 assists which she had registered for Chicago Sky against Indiana on Aug. 31, 2020. A playoff game occurring on  Sept. 28, 2021, had similar figures from Vandersloot in terms of assists.

The record-breaking moment transpired when her playmaking abilities set Kelsey Mitchell up for a 3-pointer with just 2:22 remaining in the penultimate quarter. Prior to that, the super talented No.22 secured her career-high 14th assist in the 4th quarter itself. Moreover, Caitlin Clark is now the second rookie to go past 200 assists in a single season in WNBA history. She now chases Ticha Penicheiro’s 1998 record of 225 assists.

USA Today via Reuters

Another usual day in the office for Caitlin Clark. By pulling off such memorable nights, she is making her Rookie Of The Year contention only stronger. Certainly, fans will be missing her out of action during the Olympic break.