The Nneka Ogwumike–Team USA backlash continues.
Los Angeles Sparks head coach Derek Fisher spoke to reporters on Tuesday, saying that the entire Sparks organization is “pissed” about Ogwumike being left off the Olympics roster.
“I think the thing about Nneka is that nothing has to be given to her,” he said. “She earned it and deserves it.”
The omission of Ogwumike from the 12-player roster has drawn serious criticism, as the star forward was once again left off the team despite becoming one of the best and most recognizable players in the WNBA.
Team USA head coach Dawn Staley mentioned a knee injury Ogwumike suffered earlier this month as part of the reason why Ogwumike was kept off the team.
“I’m calling BS on that too,” Fisher said. “The timeline doesn’t add up for her being unavailable to play in the Olympics. I don’t care what math you use old math, new math. We respect other players, happy for the ones that made it, but there’s no way you can tell me you put a team together and leave Nneka off of it and try to say that it makes sense and that it adds up because it doesn’t.”
He added that it would be “a freaking travesty” if Ogwumike never plays for Team USA in the Olympics.
“She’s always had to be the one to take it on the chin and take the high road… for then the reward to be getting looked over. Again. By the same group of people for the most part,” Fisher said. “I don’t know how you keep taking that on the chin.”