Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve faced significant backlash after her team was defeated by Caitlin Clark and Team WNBA in the All-Star Game. Team USA entered the game as heavy favorites, being considered the best team in the nation, composed of players who underwent a rigorous selection process. However, they fell short and lost 117-109 to Team WNBA.
Arike Ogunbowale, who many believed should have been included in Team USA, led Team WNBA with an impressive performance, scoring 34 points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Caitlin Clark nearly broke the All-Star assist record by finishing with 10 assists, just one shy of the record set by Sue Bird in 2017. Although Clark did not have her best offensive game, shooting only 2-of-9 from the field, her playmaking was a highlight of the game.
Critics quickly targeted Reeve for the loss, particularly because Team USA was defeated by players they had overlooked in their selection process. Before the game, many had campaigned for Clark to be included in Team USA. The loss added to Reeve’s recent challenges, as her Minnesota Lynx also suffered a defeat against Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Social media was rife with criticism. One commenter remarked, “Cheryl Reeve vs Caitlin Clark 0 and 2,” referring to both the Team USA loss and the Lynx’s defeat. Another shared an insulting meme about Reeve after Team USA’s loss to Ogunbowale and Clark. A third critic said, “Cheryl Reeve taking another L to Caitlin Clark and gang,” while another added, “Cheryl Reeve getting her ass kicked by Clark and the other Olympic snubs is art.”
While the All-Star Game is an exhibition and Team USA need not be overly concerned about the loss to equally talented players, the defeat does not reflect well on Cheryl Reeve and the USA basketball selection committee. The criticism underscores the ongoing debates and scrutiny surrounding team selections and the performances of highly regarded coaches and players. Despite being an exhibition game, the loss highlighted issues that many felt needed addressing, particularly regarding player selections and the decisions made by Reeve and her coaching staff.
