This is a huge gamble by Hooker as she already missed an opportunity to MVP at the World Championships when she left the USNT in early summer 2014 after a spat with Coach kiraly regarding team rules and their application.

Not only did she miss a huge chance to enhance her brand but she also missed the intense bonding that was visible among the NT members during their run to the World Championship title. The team synchronicity was stunning as they worked together in hive mind like unbreakable singularity in every game excepting their loss to Italy where they seemed to be overwhelmed by the intensity of the Seventh Fan support.

What makes this all the more confusing is that Hooker appears to have played her way back to her electric high wire London 2012 form while starring for IBK Korea who she just led to the KOVO league championship gold. In social media mad Korean her sophisticated social media skills could create a lucrative market for Hooker branded products including her popular EST volleyball camps. Still to miss Rio 16 is to miss the premier venue for women volleyball players.

So what is at risk here for Hooker. By opting out of the 2015 National Team season she will miss the Grand Prix finals which are to be played in Omaha, and which should draw huge US television interest. Assuming the USNT can sign some agreement with ESPN to make the games universally available. She’ll also miss the Olympic qualifying World Cup championships held in Japan which means that should the US win there and take the second leg of the coveted National Team “Triple Crown” she probably closes the door on an invite to join the USNT as a late Spring 2016 add-on.

If that’s the case can Hooker grow her USA based brand without playing for the USNT? Can she shift her marketing base to Korea and maintain her US fan base through highlights and camps?

It is clear now that she has returned to the skill levels that took her to the pinnacle of international prominence and that her professional career can last as long as her desire and health allow.