Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called out the USA Basketball selection committee on social media on Wednesday in response to the WNBA recording its most-watched game in more than 20 years.
The Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky on Sunday in what was a much-watched match up between former college rivals Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever warms up before a game against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
For her part, Clark put up a team-high of 23 points and nine assists while Reese had 11 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
The game marked the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years with an average of 2.25 million people tuning in to CBS to watch. The Fever’s 91-83 victory peaked at nearly 3 million viewers.
The record game has followed a number of notable marks for the WNBA this season, and much of that has centered around Clark.
Cruz is among those that recognize Clark’s impact on the league, and in response to the latest metric, he called out USA Basketball over the former Iowa star’s snub from the Olympic team.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is seen during votes in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“And yet these imbeciles don’t want her on the Olympic team,” he wrote in a post on X.
Clark was left off the roster for the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team earlier this month. USA Basketball selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti told the Associated Press that Clark being omitted from the team was largely due to her lack of experience.
“It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team,” Rizzotti said.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against Marina Mabrey #4 of the Chicago Sky during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“Because it wasn’t the purview of our committee to decide how many people would watch or how many people would root for the U.S. It was our purview to create the best team we could for Cheryl [Reeve].”
Senator Ted Cruz’s criticism of the USA Basketball selection committee comes in the wake of the WNBA recording its most-watched game in over 20 years. The game, which saw the Indiana Fever emerge victorious against the Chicago Sky, drew in a staggering average of 2.25 million viewers, peaking at nearly 3 million. This historic milestone speaks to the growing popularity of women’s basketball and the captivating performances of players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
In the game, Caitlin Clark showcased her impressive skills with a team-high 23 points and nine assists, while Angel Reese contributed 11 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. The standout performance by these former college rivals added to the excitement of the match-up and further solidified the WNBA’s status as a top-tier sports league.
Cruz’s outspoken support for Clark highlights the ongoing debate surrounding her exclusion from the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. Despite her undeniable talent, Clark was left off the roster due to concerns about her experience at the international level. The decision has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike, with many questioning the selection committee’s criteria for choosing the Olympic team.
As the WNBA continues to break records and attract a larger audience, the spotlight on players like Caitlin Clark only grows brighter. Whether she ultimately joins the Olympic team or not, Clark’s impact on the sport is undeniable, and her future in basketball looks incredibly promising.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
