WNBA All-Star Game MVP Arike Ogunbowale explains why she withdrew from Team USA player pool

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game was more than just a showcase of the best talent in women's basketball.

For players like Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale, it was a chance for revenge and redemption going up against Team USA.

Ogunbowale was near the top of most "snubs" lists when USA Basketball announced the 12-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 2019 No. 5 overall pick has established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in the W.

She proved exactly that on Saturday, setting a WNBA All-Star Game record with 34 points to win MVP and lead Team WNBA over Team USA . After going scoreless in the first half, Ogunbowale caught fire in the third quarter. She buried five 3-pointers and dished out four assists, exploding for 21 points in the frame.

She looked unguardable by any player who was about to head to Paris, leaving questions as to why she was left off the roster in the first place.

Ogunbowale explained the decision from her perspective in an interview with ESPN on Monday.

Arike Ogunbowale explains why she withdrew from Team USA player pool

Ogunbowale's All-Star Game scoring barrage against Team USA had the masses wondering about her omission from the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In an interview with ESPN's Amina Smith, she revealed that she actually withdrew her name from the player pool before final cuts were made.

"I was involved [in the selection process] in the years leading up to [the 2024 Paris Olympics]. I went to camps and stuff and, just as a player, I know myself and I know what I see, and I just wasn't feeling like they really wanted me on that team," Ogunbowale began.

"I just removed myself because it's a process. Keeping your name in the pool and having to go [to pre-Olympic events]. If I already knew and felt that I wasn't going to be on the team, I just removed myself from that.

"... There were flags and things that I just felt but at the end of the day, they choose who they want to choose and that has nothing to do with me. I'm very confident and comfortable in myself and my skills. Whether I'm on the team or not on the team, I'm still blessed to play the game. God has blessed me with my abilities, and I'm going to keep doing what I do," she concluded.

While it's hard to point fingers as to who Team USA should have left off in Ogunbowale's place, there is no denying that her offense could have been an asset.

Her 22.3 points per game rank third in the WNBA behind Olympians A'ja Wilson (27.2) and Kahleah Copper (23.2). She is en route to her second consecutive season ranking in the top five in scoring.

Team USA has won seven consecutive gold medals, so one or two roster changes may not alter much in its pursuit of an eighth straight, but if the United States Women's National Team has any sort of struggles on the offensive end, Ogunbowale's absence could become a glaring error.