Caitlin Clark and Team USA basketball got off to an impressive start in the FIBA World Cup, achieving a 94-61 rout over China to open the Group Phase. Unsurprisingly, Clark helped lead the way as one of three players to score 14 points, along with teammates Rhyne Howard and Paige Bueckers. However, Clark also continued to show her skillful playmaking, dishing out 11 assists to her Team USA teammates.
It was the Team USA debut for the Indiana Fever star, and a historic one at that. Clark achieved multiple records in her debut performance, including the most assists by a player in their World Cup debut. Clark became the first Team USA player since Dawn Staley in 1998 to record 10-plus assists in a game, and the Fever star also set the record for most assists without a turnover by a Team USA player.
More news: Team USA’s Caitlin Clark Decision Sparks Backlash at FIBA World Cup That's rather remarkable considering this is Clark's first game at the FIBA World Cup. The 24-year-old was named the Player of the Game, which the Indiana Fever shared on social media. Some criticism and backlash came from fans ahead of the game due to Clark not being named to the starting lineup.
However, the WNBA All-Star eventually came off the bench and then played over 25 minutes, the most of any player. That allowed her to show why she's among the league's top stars and best basketball players in the world. After the win, the Dallas Wings' Bueckers praised Clark for making the game easier for the rest of the team, explaining that defenses tend to focus more on Clark.
Clark can then use her playmaking skills to find teammates for easy buckets. However, Clark also had high praise for her Team USA teammates as she may have revealed another aspect of why she was able to achieve so many assists in their win on Friday. "You know, obviously, playing around so many talented players.
Obviously, our guards are incredible, and our post players too, but you know, anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they're never gonna miss a shot," Clark said postgame. "That's one of my goals when I come into the game, facilitate, play fast, set up my teammates, get into the paint, get some penetration," she said, adding that her strategy would also "allow my teammates to get open looks." One can only wonder what's next as Clark and Team USA continue in the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Germany, with their next matchup against Italy set for Sunday at 2:45 p.m. More news: Diana Taurasi Compares Rising WNBA Star to Kyrie Irving For more about the WNBA and FIBA World Cup, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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