Caitlin Clark supporters are once again expressing frustration with USA Basketball.

Jeremy Beren

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The reason why Caitlin Clark fans are mad at USA Basketball again image

Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TL;DR

  • Caitlin Clark invited to 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup training camp in Durham, NC.
  • Camp runs December 12-14, supervised by Kara Lawson, for potential senior national team debut.
  • Clark's supporters expressed dissatisfaction with her exclusion from a USA Basketball graphic.
  • Fans questioned Clark's absence from promotional material, citing her popularity and past Olympic exclusion.

This week, Caitlin Clark was given a seldom-seen distinction, being named to a 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup training camp, one of only 18 invitees individuals to receive this recognition.

From December 12th to December 14th, the camp will be held in Durham, North Carolina, supervised by Duke University and the head coach of the United States women's national team, Kara Lawson.

This opportunity will allow Clark to potentially make her first appearance for the senior national team next September. The team will be traveling to Germany with the goal of securing their fifth consecutive Women's World Cup title. For Clark, a two-time WNBA All-Star for The Indiana Fever, this is likely an ideal scenario, particularly given that injuries restricted her to just 13 games played in the 2025 season.

Despite USA Basketball extending an invitation to the Fever star, some of Clark's supporters on social media have expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the organization.

Clark left out of training camp image

Fans on Tuesday took to X to express their displeasure that Clark was not included in a graphic that announced the training camp squad.

USA Basketball selected Phoenix Mercury player Kahleah Copper, Los Angeles Sparks player Kelsey Plum, and Las Vegas Aces player Jackie Young to fill the vacant spots, all of whom have secured both a WNBA title and  and an Olympic gold medal.

"Where's Caitlin on the poster?" One fan asked.

"It's always surprising when the league's top player isn't featured on posters like this." One user wrote. "Would you ever see Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan excluded from a poster?

"So the three most popular players on this roster of CC, Angel (Reese) and Paige (Bueckers) are not on the photo to promote USA basketball," another said. "Seems appropriate. Bunch of marketing geniuses."

The split between Clark fans and national team fans is nothing new.

Last year, numerous observers expressed surprise when ex-national team coach Cheryl Reeve excluded Clark from the roster for The Summer Olympic Games, an event that commenced about a month after Clark began her WNBA career.

Despite the US securing Olympic gold in 2024, and Clark appearing ready for the 2026 FIBA World Cup, her supporters are vocal about their concerns regarding USA Basketball's attention to the prominent guard.

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Staff Writer