“I thiпk she’s goiпg to defiпitely be oп oпe of these teams goiпg forward bυt right пow, there were better caпdidates oυt there,” Dυraпt said dυriпg a receпt appearaпce
Keviп Dυraпt; Caitliп Clark. PHOTO:
NBA champion Kevin Durant agrees with USA Basketball’s decision to leave Caitlin Clark off of the Olympic roster.
The 22-year-old’s omission from the women’s basketball team competing in 2024 Paris Olympics sparked fierce debate among fans and analysts, but Durant, 35, said there were “better candidates” for the roster during a conversation with the Wall Street Journal’s Emma Tucker at Journal House at The Cannes Lions Festival.
The Phoenix Suns star said he thinks there are still “proper steps you’ve got to take in our world to be considered an Olympian,” when asked about the Indiana Fever rookie.
“I think she’s going to definitely be on one of these teams going forward but right now, there were better candidates out there.” Durant explained during the appearance alongside his Boardroom partner, Rich Kleiman.
Sabrina lonescu, Brittney Grineг, Kelsey Plum and Diana Taurasi are among the WNBA stars selected for Team USA’s 2024 roster. He shared praise for the WNBA as well and their work “showcasing” the no. 1 overall pick.
“The WNBA is doing a great job of showcasing her. I see her games on ESPN every other day,” Durant said, “I see her in talks around, no matter what they’re talking about, there’s a lot of dialogue around the game right now, so that’s good as well.”
Caitliп Clark #22 of the Iпdiaпa Fever.
STEPHEN GOSLING/NBAE VIA GETTY
Durant, who will play for Team USA alongside LeBron James and Steph Curry in Paris, added that Clark should “continue to keep showing up every day” as she navigates her transition into the league.
“I think as she continues to keep getting better as a player, her production on the court gets better, then the league will grow along with some of the other women who are coming in,” he said, specifically citing Las Vegas Aces 2x MVP A’ja Wilson.
“There’s just so many great players in our league that Caitlin has helped shine that light on them and that’ll help the league grow over time,” Durant added. The Boardroom founders appeared in conversation with Tucker at the Wall Street Journal’s Journal House during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Alexis Ohanian, Diplo, Ashley Flowers and Yara & Keri Shahidi, among others, also attended the event. Never miss a story – sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
After the Olympic roster was released, Clark said she was not disappointed by the decision while speaking to reporters on June 9. “I’m excited for the girls that are on the team,” Clark said, per ESPN.
“I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold.
I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so it will be fun to watch them,” the Fever guard continued. “Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it’s a dream.
Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully, when four years comes back around, I can be there.”
Hot news:
Hot news:
News
Aпgel Reese sυddeпly issυed a Statemeпt waпtiпg to remiпd everyoпe where the rise of womeп’s basketball really started, aпd that Caitliп Clark is jυst ordiпary
Angel Reese says rival Caitlin Clark isn’t the only reason WNBA is popular: ‘It’s because of me, too’ Angel Reese doesn’t believe Caitlin Clark is the only…
Caitliп Clark is Headed for Paris After Britпey Griпer was Booted from Team USA for Miscoпdυct
In a surprising turn of events, rising basketball star Caitlin Clark is set to join Team USA for the Paris Olympics, following the removal of Britney Griner…
Caitliп Clark has caυsed a social media storm with her speech fυll of criticism aпd disappoiпtmeпt towards the WNBA orgaпizers for merely staпdiпg by while Aпgel Reese coпtiпυes to eпgage iп υпsportsmaпlike coпdυct oп the coυrt
Caitliп Clark Sparks Social Media Storm with Criticism of WNBA Orgaпizers Over Haпdliпg of Aпgel Reese’s Coпdυct Caitlin Clark has ignited a social media storm with a…
Angel Reese holds edge over Caitlin Clark in WNBA Rookie of the Year race, ‘We Need To Talk Now’ hosts argue
Getty Images The 2024 WNBA rookie class has beeп impressive so far, aпd there is пo doυbt the Rookie of the Year race will be a tight…
Amazing! According ESPN, the WNBA’s breakout star, Caitlin Clark, is now the fourth most popular athlete in America!
Caitlin Clark: America’s Newest Sporting Sweetheart? Move over LeBron, Tiger, and Steph – there’s a new kid on the block! WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has taken the…
Wild Stat Proves Caitlin Clark Is Responsible For The WNBA’s Change In Fortunes This Season
Caitlin Clark (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has had a telling effect, enough to meet the eye. However, the numbers tell their own…
End of content
No more pages to load