Arike Ogunbowale took herself out of 2024 Paris Olympics running, blames politics

Arike Ogunbowale Voices Concerns Over Selection Process for 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

Renowned Dallas Wings player Arike Ogunbowale has opted out of the USA Basketball pool for the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, citing her disillusionment with the selection process. In a recent interview on “Nightcap” with Shannon Sharpe, Gilbert Arenas, and Chad Johnson, Ogunbowale expressed her views on the matter.

Ogunbowale remarked, “When it comes to the Olympic trials, it really doesn’t have much to do with your game. It’s really about who they feel fits with the team. So I actually took my name out of the pool months ago.”

She further added, “I knew I would not be that one,” indicating her realization upon the release of the list of selected players.

Expressing her disappointment with the selection committee’s decisions, Ogunbowale emphasized the subjective nature of the criteria used in choosing players for the team.

“Everybody’s great in the WNBA, so who they choose is who they choose,” she stated.

Highlighting the presence of politics in USA Basketball and other related selections, Ogunbowale stated, “There’s politics in everything, so I’m going to just leave it at that.”

Arike Ogunbowale, a three-time All-Star and WNBA top performer, has been a key player in the league. She has been recognized with multiple accolades, including being named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2021 and the Second Team in 2022.

With an impressive performance record, averaging 26.2 points per game and 5.5 assists this year, Ogunbowale’s decision to withdraw from the Olympic pool has raised questions about the selection process.

Recent controversies surrounding player selections for the 2024 Olympics, such as the exclusion of Caitlin Clark, have shed light on the complexities of the decision-making process.

Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve’s roster for the upcoming Olympics will feature a lineup of veteran players, including Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, and Chelsea Gray.

Notable WNBA players like Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike have also faced exclusions from previous Olympic rosters, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.

As the debate continues within the basketball community, the impact of politics on player selections for prestigious tournaments remains a topic of discussion.