Why Candace Parker, Geno Auriemma feuded after 2016 Rio Olympics snub: 'We don't like each other'

The decision to leave WNBA legend and former Tennessee star Candace Parker off the U.S. national women's basketball team for the 2016 Rio Olympics is still puzzling, eight years later.

Parker, who was 30 years old then, had helped guide the U.S. to back-to-back gold medal finishes in 2008 and 2012. She was at the height of her game. While the United States went on to win its eighth total and sixth consecutive gold medal, it's still a move that has had ripple effects entering this year's 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Parker, the three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, retired in April following a 16-year WNBA career. The former No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft became the first player in league history to win a championship with three different teams after being on the Las Vegas Aces' 2023 championship team.

Here's what you need to know about Parker's omission from the 2016 Rio Olympic team for women's basketball, her relationship with UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and more:

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Why was Candace Parker left off the 2016 Olympic team?

Parker's omission from the 2016 Olympic team was a shocker. The then-Los Angeles Sparks star had helped lead the U.S. to gold medal finishes in 2008 and 2012, and she entered her prime at 30 years old.

“I was surprised & disappointed to be left off the 2016 USA Olympic Team,” Parker tweeted in late April after the decision. “But I wish all the members of the team GOODLUCK in Rio. #Gold.

National team director Carol Callan, who was part of the five-person committee deciding the selections, reasoned that the position Parker played was a strength for the U.S. at that time, leading to the omission. That reasoning came despite Parker averaging 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for the L.A. Sparks.

“We don’t get into specifics speaking about each player publicly,” Callan said at the time. “Needless to say there are a lot of deliberations. We have a committee for a reason. ... What it does speak to is that we have incredible depth on this team. ... We’re looking at depth and talent at each position, and there are just a lot of numbers games that are played at that three-four position that is the strength of our team. We appreciate Candace. It’s not an easy call to make.”

Was Geno Auriemma involved in Candace Parker's snub?

Geno Auriemma ― the wildly successful UConn women's basketball coach ― denied involvement in the team's selection process, instead deflecting responsibility to the five-person selection committee that “independently” puts together the 12-woman squad.

Five of the 12 players on the team played collegiately for Auriemma. Parker played for the late Pat Summitt and won two national championship teams at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008.

“Um, I mean, yes and no, I guess,” Auriemma said when asked if he was shocked about her omission (via the Tennessean). “You know, I was surprised by some of the selections in 2012 that I didn’t expect. So, in the end, we’ve got the team that’s sent here to win the gold medal. And that’s what matters.”

Parker disagrees with Auriemma's sentiment that he had nothing to do with her omission and snub from the Olympic roster.

"As soon as he was named the coach again, I was like, 'Ah, well, this is gonna be interesting,'" Parker told Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks. "He doesn't like me. I don't like him. We don't like each other.

"I don't think I personally fit," she added. "I don't think Geno wanted me on the team."

Did Candace Parker return for the 2020 Olympics?

South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley was named the U.S. women's national basketball coach in 2017. She approached Parker about returning to the roster for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but Parker declined.

“I think Dawn Staley is an amazing coach. She’s awesome. I wish I could have played for her,” Parker said in 2018. “It has nothing to do with her, but for me, mentally, I wouldn’t be able to represent USA Basketball anymore.

Candace Parker Olympic stats

Here's a look at Parker's stats at the Olympics in her two showings:

• 2008: 9.4 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks on 61.4% shooting in eight games

• 2012: 10.5 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.3 blocks on 50.7% shooting in eight games

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Explaining Candace Parker-Geno Auriemma feud after 2016 Rio Olympics snub