Why Caitlin Clark is not an option to replace the injured Cameron Brink on the U.S. 3x3 Olympic team

The Los Angeles Sparks had their fears confirmed on Wednesday when it was revealed that star rookie Cameron Brink had suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday’s game against the Connecticut Sun. The injury, which will almost certainly end Brink’s season, also has major implications for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

Brink was named to USA Basketball’s women’s 3×3 Olympic squad earlier this month. With the torn ACL leaving Brink out of the Summer Games, many fans seemed to suggest that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark should be considered as her injury replacement. However, that simply cannot happen.

According to FIBA eligibility for the Olympic 3×3 roster, two of the four players must be ranked inside the top 10 of their country’s talent pool. The other two must be ranked inside the top 50. But to gain those ranking points, the player needed to previously compete in 3×3 events. Clark has not played in any 3×3 competitions, which would leave her ineligible as a roster candidate.

UPDATE: Clarity on who *might* qualify for 3×3 with Cameron Brink out.

Left is FIBA eligibility criteria.

Right is all the USA players who are currently top 250 worldwide in FIBA’s 3×3 points system and *could meet* the criteria for consideration.

Hamby is the *likely* pick. https://t.co/mujuzfhPqq pic.twitter.com/kNQBU1wVq2

— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 19, 2024

Given that criteria, Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby is the likely pick as Brink’s replacement. We’ll see what USA Basketball decides.

And while Clark’s exclusion from the 5-on-5 Olympic roster sparked debates across the internet and sports media, it wouldn’t have made much sense to go with Clark as Brink’s replacement even if she was eligible. From a basketball fit, the team needs to look to replace Brink with another big. Clark is a guard.

But FIBA’s eligibility criteria makes all of that moot — Clark isn’t an option for consideration.