Reeve, appointed earlier this year as the head coach for the Summer Games in Paris, faced scrutiny after older posts resurfaced highlighting her mentions of Clark. On May 3, Reeve responded to a WNBA post teasing the Fever’s preseason game against the Dallas Wings, where Clark was featured. Her response, mentioning the Lynx game and including hashtags like “#12teams” and “#theWismorethanoneplayer,” seemed to reference the hype around Clark before her professional debut.
In another instance, Reeve replied to a comment suggesting that only Clark mattered in terms of attention, responding with “That part.” These posts, especially considering the timing during the national team selection process, have raised concerns.
According to Christine Brennan of USA Today, USA Basketball declined multiple requests for comment on the matter. A spokesperson indicated that Reeve chose not to comment directly on the issue. While Reeve does not have a formal role in selecting the 12-member roster, she is involved in the process. The spokesperson clarified that the roster is chosen by a committee based on established selection procedures, with the coach responsible for defining on-court strategies and style of play that are considered by the committee.
Regarding Clark’s omission from the team, USA Basketball’s selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti cited her lack of experience as a key factor. Rizzotti emphasized that the committee’s focus was on assembling the strongest possible team for Reeve to coach, rather than considerations of public interest or support for individual players like Clark.