WNBA legend Sue Bird delivers honest verdict on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's Olympic snubs

By Leocciano Callao

Published: | Updated:

WNBA legend Sue Bird had encouraging words for rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese after they were left out of Team USA's roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. 

After helping popularize the league as newcomers, less-knowing fans cried foul when Clark and Reese were snubbed in favor of more experienced players. 

Speaking to Distractify's Allison DeGrushe, the five-time Olympian preached how the young stars should use the setback as motivation ahead of the 2028 games in Los Angeles. 

'For me, a lot of my moments, a lot of my hardships, I guess, came in the form of injuries. And all it did was motivate me to get back on the court even better, even stronger,' Bird said. 

'I always joke like, there's literally no championship team that probably didn't lose dramatically. And by dramatic, I mean, you go home in tears-type vibes. There's no team that didn't lose before they won, right?' 

Sue Bird encouraged Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese after their 2024 Olympic team snubs

Sue Bird encouraged Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese after their 2024 Olympic team snubs 

After helping the league grow, Clark and Reese were left out in favor of experienced players

After helping the league grow, Clark and Reese were left out in favor of experienced players 

Furthermore, Bird believes the snub is a pivotal moment for both Clark and Reese. 

'In a sense, you kind of have to have these moments that give you motivation to be able to continue to achieve,' Bird added. 'So I'm sure for Caitlin [and] for Angel, it's only going to make them hungrier to be on the next Olympic team. It'll be exciting when they get there.'

Clark and Reese's story began in college while playing for Iowa and LSU. Their talent and flare brought plenty of eyes to their playoff showdowns in 2023 and 2024. 

As juniors, Clark lost to Reese and LSU in the NCAA championship game. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Reese and the Tigers fell to the Hawkeyes in the Elite 8 behind a 40-piece from Clark - who would lose in another title game to South Carolina. 

Clark is averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists for the Indiana Fever

Clark is averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists for the Indiana Fever 

Reese is averaging a double-double with 13.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Sky

Reese is averaging a double-double with 13.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Sky 

Clark and Reese's rivalry in college made their entry in the WNBA highly-anticipated

Clark and Reese's rivalry in college made their entry in the WNBA highly-anticipated 

Reese was selected seventh overall while Clark was the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft

Reese was selected seventh overall while Clark was the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft 

Nevertheless, Clark and Reese were drafted first and seventh, respectively, in the 2024 WNBA Draft in April. 

Having been key pieces for the the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, Clark and Reese are set to be teammates for the first time after being selected for the WNBA All-Star team. 

'We're gonna be playing together for a while, so this is not gonna be the first time,' Reese said on NBA Today on July 10. 'I know we'll be All-Stars again. I know hopefully, (in) 2028 we'll be Olympians together too.' 

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