Christie Sides showed true colors with response to Caitlin Clark message after Olympics snub

Caitlin Clark was surprisingly cut from the U.S. Olympic team for the Paris 2024 Games, despite being one of the most exciting young talents in women’s basketball

Basketball sensation Caitlin Clark didn’t let missing out on the U.S. Olympic team crush her spirit, instead sharing a heartfelt conversation with her former coach Christie Sides.

Despite her stunning achievements on the court, the 22-year-old star was not chosen for the final squad heading to Paris, where Team USA grabbed gold by trumping France in the ultimate showdown.

Yet the WNBA prodigy showed tenacity, transforming the rejection into fuel for her ambition, as revealed by her one-time coach at Indiana Fever. Sides reminisced about the time Clark got the unfortunate call and how they discussed it on the team bus, sharing a poignant dialogue about sustaining high morale.

We talked actually on the bus. She got the call on the bus and she text me to let me know. I just tried to keep her spirits [up],” reported Fastbreak quoting Sides.

“The thing she said was, ‘Hey coach, they woke a monster’, which I thought was awesome, I was a little disappointed, of course. She’s my player. That’s the hardest team in the world to make. That’s a tough team. She’s young, she’s gonna have so many opportunities in the future.”

Clark, ever the sportswoman, graciously remarked: “I’m excited for the girls that are on the team. 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, me not being on the team.

“So I’m excited for them. I’m gonna be rooting for them to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so, yeah, it’ll be fun watching them.”

Indiana Fever is on the lookout for a new coach

Clark is set to play under a new coach after the Indiana Fever decided to part ways with Sides, despite her leading the team to their first postseason appearance since 2016. The Fever entered the playoffs as the sixth seed but were quickly ousted by the Connecticut Sun, sparking debate over whether Sides had maximized the potential of their star player, even though she always supported her.

Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf expressed gratitude towards Sides: “We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth.

“While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.