"I just removed myself" - Arike Ogunbowale gives blunt take on 'politics' in sports comment after removing herself from Olympics consideration

Modified Jul 23, 2024 18:30 GMT

One of the biggest surprises of the Team USA pool in the WNBA was Arike Ogunbowale being kept off the roster despite being one of the best players in the WNBA. Ogunbowale revealed that it had less to do with her being snubbed and more to do with her own decision to remove herself from the selection pool.

“I was involved in it the whole year leading up to it. I went to camps and just as a player I know myself and I know what I see and I wasn’t feeling like they really wanted me on that team, so I just removed myself," she said.

"It is a process, keeping your name in the pool and having to go to these things so if I already knew and felt that I wasn’t going to be on the team then I just removed myself from that.” via SportsCenter.

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“When I said ‘politics,’ I was just referring to sports in general, and it’s not even just women’s basketball. I see it all across just sports in general … There are some great players that aren’t on some teams. There are some players that aren’t that good that are on teams," she added.

The Team USA roster, headlined by Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, will also feature Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Lloyd (Seattle Storm), Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) and Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx).

Entering the Olympics, Team USA is the heavy favorite to win gold in Paris at -1800 odds with a loaded roster. The team's first game is on July 29 vs Japan.

Arike Ogunbowale sets WNBA All-Star Game record vs. Team USA

Facing off against Team USA, rather than playing alongside, Arike Ogunbowale made a statement at the WNBA All-Star game. Ogunbowale finished with a WNBA record of 34 points in her fourth All-Star game.

She shot 50% from the field, along with six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, winning the All-Star game MVP for her efforts.