Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink tore her ACL earlier this week, a devastating blow for the younger ahead in each regard. Brink was within the early days of a rock stable debut season within the WNBA and her yr was solely going to get higher with the upcoming Paris Olympics, as she was chosen to the Crew USA 3×3 roster earlier this summer season.
With Brinks happening, that spot for the 3×3 occasion have to be crammed. And after all of the outcry surrounding Caitlin Clark’s perceived snub from the Crew USA ladies’s five-on-five roster, there are numerous questioning aloud if the standout guard may be the harm alternative for Brink.
Positionally it clearly is mindless, as Brink performs on the block and protects the paint whereas Clark is the maestro of the offense who sinks 30-foot jumpers with regularity. However, the argument goes, Clark ought to be in Paris it doesn’t matter what and all the pieces else will determine itself out.
Sadly for individuals who consider as a lot, it doesn’t matter. Clark will not be eligible to take part within the 2024 Paris Olympics 3×3 event.
How can this be? Nicely, because it seems, any outdated basketball participant can’t simply be chosen for the 3×3 Olympics crew, regardless of how expert they’re.
Per the principles laid out by the Worldwide Basketball Federation (FIBA), a participant solely qualifies for the 3×3 occasion if they’ve the “minimal variety of rating factors.” Rating factors are accrued by collaborating in FIBA-approved 3×3 tournaments within the lead-up to the Olympic Video games.
For instance, Brink certified to play as a result of she participated within the FIBA 3×3 Girls’s World Cup in 2023. By enjoying (and profitable), she earned sufficient rating factors to qualify for the U.S. Olympic crew. As Crew USA searches for her alternative, they need to look to those that have additionally earned rating factors, resembling Brink’s teammate Dearica Hamby.
Thus, Clark will not be on the shortlist to interchange Brink or anyone else who won’t be capable to play within the Paris Olympics 3×3 event.