Caitlin Clark praised by fans for her 'humble, classy' response to shock Olympic Games rejection

Caitlin Clark seems to have won over more fans by wishing Team USA the best for the Olympic Games that she has surprisingly been left out of later this year.

Clark, the No, 1 pick at the WNBA draft, will not be involved in Paris - a decision that has been met with widespread dismay - but the player herself offered a respectful response when quizzed about it on Sunday.

'I'm excited for the girls that are on the team,' Clark, 22, said on Sunday. 'I know it's the most competitive team in the world and I know it could've gone either way, me being on the team or me not being on the team.

'I'm excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, it'll be fun to watch them.'

Her comments were praised on social media by fans and sports stars alike. Former NHL player Colby Cohen said: 'Humble, classy, professional, I could go on and on on. The other players in the WNBA should take a lesson from Caitlin.'

Another response read: 'After seeing this interview, I'm reminded of the power of grace under pressure. A textbook example of being a class act' while a different fan replied: 'My goodness she’s a class act. 

'Can’t think of a better role model for young kids wanting to pursue their hoop dreams.'

A different reply said: 'She's so mature for her age. When I was 22, I was cursing people playing Starcraft.'

Clark said she would use the month-long break in the WNBA to rest up after a frenetic start to life in the league.

When news of her omission broke on Saturday, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy led the backlash.

He uploaded a video to X saying: 'I don't know who's making the decision, Women's Olympic Committee or whatever it is. I don't care if you don't think Caitlin Clark talent-wise belongs on this team, even though she does put up 37 at 13 - the most points in the history of the league for a rookie.

'None of it matters. These women - and I love women, I'm a pro-women guy - they complain, they cry about equal rights, equal wages, blah blah blah... Hey dummies, for the first time in the history of basketball, you have arguably the player who is the most popular player in the world.

'You can argue that Caitlin Clark is the most popular, most puts-a**es-in-the-seats, single basketball player in the world. You can argue that. And you leave her off the Olympics team?

'It's not only a showcase for her, it's for the sport and the other WNBA players that are on this team. How dumb, how braindead, how idiotic do the people running this thing have to be? It's one thing after another with her.'