New WNBA Injury Opens The Olympic Door For Caitlin Clark

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics is right around the corner, and Team USA's 3x3 women's basketball team has potentially suffered another significant loss.

Earlier in the month, the 3x3 roster took a significant hit as Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL, leaving her unable to play for the year.

This injury left a gap in Team USA's roster as she was the tallest player on the team. The roster was down to just three guards: Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, Hailey Van Lith of the TCU Horned Frogs, and Cierra Burdick, who has played with the 3x3 squad in the past.

A day later, Team USA suffered another injury as Howard went down with an ankle injury. It was revealed that Howard will be out indefinitely, and a timeline for return is currently unknown, leaving her Olympics status in question.

Howard was recently seen in a walking boot and using a scooter to move around, which isn't a good sign for her Olympic future.

This injury may leave a guard spot open for the 3x3 roster. The perfect replacement for Howard is the most extensive Team USA 5x5 snub, former Iowa Hawkeyes and current Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

Howard and Clark have similar playstyles. They take and make a lot of three-pointers and are very capable playmakers. They can also be pesky on the defensive side of the ball, with both averaging over one steal a game. Clark could fill in for Howard nicely and bring much attention to the USA's 3x3 team.

The Olympics is a little over a month away. Team USA's first women's 3x3 game is on July 30 against Germany. If Howard is not medically cleared to play, the USA must find a replacement quickly.

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