REPORTS: Why UConn’s Geno Auriemma Believes U.S. Olympic Selection Committee ‘did great’ Picking Team
WEST HARTFORD — The announcement of the 12 players chosen for the United States women’s basketball team for the upcoming Paris Olympics on June 11 was not without controversy, a situation that has become customary. There was considerable debate, particularly regarding the inclusion of Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark and the strong case put forward for Dallas Wings’ guard Arike Ogunbowale.
UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma humorously commented on the situation, saying, “My favorite part is that no one mentioned me… First time in 16 years I wasn’t the reason someone didn’t make the team or someone did make the team.” Auriemma, who led the Americans to Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016 and was part of the 2021 Olympic team’s selection committee, was present at the Hartford Golf Club to host the 22nd Annual Geno For the Kids charity golf tournament.
Auriemma has faced criticism in the past, notably when Candace Parker was omitted from the 2016 team while Breanna Stewart, who had recently led UConn to a fourth consecutive national championship, was selected. He was also questioned after Nneka Ogwumike, a former WNBA Most Valuable Player, did not make the 2021 team for Tokyo, while former UConn standout and 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year Napheesa Collier secured a spot.
Three former Huskies — Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, Stewart of the New York Liberty, and Collier of the Minnesota Lynx — were chosen. Taurasi will participate in her record sixth Olympics, Stewart her third, and Collier her second.
Auriemma expressed satisfaction with the selection committee’s decisions, stating, “I thought (the selection committee) did great… Everyone is always surprised when someone doesn’t make the team or when someone does. That’s because they don’t have to make those decisions.” He also emphasized the need to respect the process and the athletes who earned their spots on the team, drawing parallels to past cases of notable players not making Olympic teams.
The rest of Team USA comprises Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Kahleah Copper and Brittney Griner of the Mercury, Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun, Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty, and Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm. The team is under the guidance of coach Cheryl Reeve of the Lynx, who previously served as an assistant to Auriemma in 2016 and to Dawn Staley in 2021. The selection committee is chaired by Connecticut Sun president and former UConn star Jen Rizzotti.
“Here’s my take,” Auriemma remarked. “You call Cheryl and ask, ‘Are you satisfied with your team?’ If she says, ‘Yes,’ then it’s a good decision.”
However, the decision faced opposition from Clark’s devoted fan base. The former Iowa standout, who has drawn large crowds in WNBA arenas and boosted television ratings during her rookie season, seems to have attracted new followers to the sport.
“It’s like dealing with new millionaires,” Auriemma commented. “They join country clubs, wear their hats backward, and disregard all the rules because they believe life revolves around them and they have all the answers about everything. That’s the downside of new fans – they lack perspective and context.”
As the Indiana Fever prepared to face the Washington Mystics, Clark was averaging 16.1 points on 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from beyond the arc, along with 5.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.1. The Fever, with a 5-10 record, currently hold the eighth spot in the standings, which would qualify them for the playoffs.
Clark has faced challenges at times, as predicted by veterans like Taurasi. However, she has managed herself adeptly, particularly during on-court incidents involving the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese, which led to off-court discussions on social issues.
“I truly empathize with anyone in that position,” Auriemma expressed. “Many athletes have been in that situation over the years, where they become a cause rather than simply trying to play the game.
“People were actually placing bets on her being the third or fourth most valuable player in the WNBA. That’s a huge insult to every WNBA player, it’s unbelievable, right? It stems from a place where people want it so badly, but it’s misguided, and certainly she’s not driving it or campaigning for it. She handles herself well. She has good days, bad days, makes shots, misses shots.
“But it’s amusing to hear the Fever management (complain) about physical fouls. Every time I (complain) about the game being too physical, there’s always someone on that staff implying I’m a … something.”
One thing Auriemma looks forward to is seeing Taurasi vie for her record sixth gold medal, which would surpass her former UConn teammate Sue Bird.
Auriemma was Taurasi’s first coach for USA Basketball when she played for the 2000 U-18 national team.
“That’s one thing that doesn’t surprise me,” Auriemma stated. “If she stays healthy, she’ll play until she’s 60. Her and Sue are the same way… If they could just show up and play without having to go through everything it takes to get ready for a game, that’s the grind they dislike. They dislike having to stay in shape year-round. As the body ages, it gets harder.
“But the love for the game, the desire to play and compete, and the pursuit of winning gold medals — for D, that will never wane. She loves the game too much. And the game loves her, that’s the best part.”
Team USA will face a WNBA All-Star team in Phoenix on July 20. The Americans will commence their campaign in France on July 29 against Japan, followed by group matches against Belgium on Aug. 1 and Germany on Aug. 4 before moving on to the single-elimination phase. The gold-medal game is scheduled for Aug. 11.