Sparks’ Candace Parker is dismayed but diplomatic about Olympic snub
Candace Parker poses for photos at the 2016 Team USA media summit in Beverly Hills on March 9.
After helping the U.S. women to gold medals at the last two Olympics, Candace Parker is not thrilled about being left off the squad headed for Rio de Janeiro this summer.
“I was surprised & disappointed to be left off the 2016 USA Olympic Team,” she tweeted on Tuesday morning.
Word of the move by USA Basketball had surfaced a day earlier.
The Sparks star, a two-time WNBA most valuable player, has a history of strong play for the national team, but missed the 2014 world championships because of a knee injury and was playing overseas during a recent U.S. training camp.
The Americans also have a strong contingent of newcomers, including Brittney Griner, pushing for spots.
The 6-foot-4 Parker was diplomatic about not being selected, writing that she wished “all the members of the team GOODLUCK in Rio.”
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