MacBook Pro won't recognize my Superdrive

I'm using a 2017 13" MB Pro running Big Sur and it doesn't recognize my Superdrive.

All of the boxes are selected in Finder Preferences that allow for an external drive to be recognized.

Recommendations I've found here suggest plugging the drive directly into the Mac's USB port. This Mac only has USB C ports, so I have to use a hub to first connect the drive, and then connect the hub to the Mac. No luck.

What should I be doing?

Thank you.