Arike Ogunbowale etched her name into the WNBA annals with a record-breaking 34-point performance, propelling the WNBA All-Stars to victory over the U.S. Olympic team. The All-Stars, showcasing their depth, handed the Olympians a 117-109 loss, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Caitlin Clark, in her All-Star game debut, dished out nearly as many assists as the legendary Sue Bird, adding her own flair to the high-stakes matchup.
Ogunbowale, who shared with U.S. News her frustrations over the politicized selection process for the Olympic team, certainly made a statement on the court. Opting out of the pool early this time, she channeled her energies into dismantling the Olympic defense, scoring all of her points after the break. The game also had its share of firsts with rookies Clark and Angel Reese bringing their A-game, commanding respect from the Phoenix crowd.
The All-Star win echoed their previous victory from 2021, when the WNBA team similarly trounced the Olympians. Despite only two days of practice, as reported by U.S. News, the Olympians are steeling themselves for the upcoming Olympic games, looking to refine their teamwork and capitalize on this learning opportunity. "This is going to help us tremendously. We don’t get that many game opportunities," said Breanna Stewart, who paced the Olympic squad with 31 points.
Clark, who fell just a tad short of Bird's assist record, exuded humility and camaraderie, telling U.S. News, "That's Sue's record. Can't take that from her, that's my homey." Meanwhile, the Phoenix game didn't just serve as a showcase for the current stars of the WNBA. It also paid homage to the storied 20-year career of Diana Taurasi and the welcomed return of Brittney Griner following her detainment in Russia.
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