Caitlin Clark notches double-double in World Cup…
Caitlin Clark shined in her FIBA Women’s World Cup debut Friday as a new technology of USA Basketball stars signaled that the dynasty has entered a new chapter.
Clark announced herself on one of basketball’s largest worldwide levels with a 14-point, 11-assist double-double off the bench to help the U.S. cruise to a dominant 96-61 victory against China to open group play.
“This is such a privilege and honor to be here,” said Clark, who appears poised to take over the place to begin guard function from Chelsea Gray at some level. “I don’t worry about all that (pressure). I’m just excited to go play basketball. I remain confident in what I can do.”
Caitlin Clark of USA seems to shoot during the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Germany 2026 match between USA and China at Max Schmeling Halle on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images
The logos of what makes USA Basketball so good over all these years has been its continuity and unselfish model.
But this is the youngest crew the U.S. has fielded since 1994, with six gamers under 25.
With all the novelty of this roster, including seven first-time members to the senior national crew at a major competitors, this first recreation was supposed to be a feeling out course of as the crew is still getting acquainted with one another.
But the U.S. regarded prefer it had been training for months for this second.
The Americans began their most seasoned group: Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
But head coach Kara Lawson ensured everybody noticed the court by early in the second quarter.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark of the USA Women’s National Team high 5 during a recreation against the China National Team at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 4, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The U.S. set the tone early and mastered the sport plan while managing to deal with China’s major measurement benefit even without four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who’s not competing in the World Cup because of a back issue.
The tallest participant on the court was 19-year-old, 7-foot-3 Chinese middle Zhang Ziyu, who’s 10 inches taller than Aliyah Boston.
It was a battle in the post all day, but the U.S. managed to have a four-point benefit in the paint.
United States’ Caitlin Clark holds the participant of the sport trophy during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Berlin. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi
The U.S. moved the ball nicely, dispensing 26 assists on 34 made area objectives with only eight turnovers.
It was a balanced, well-orchestrated effort.
All 12 gamers scored, including eight in the first quarter.
Rhyne Howard and Paige Bueckers joined Clark in main the crew with 14 factors apiece.
“It was a great team effort for us,” Lawson said. “You’re in this pool play situation and there’s clearly that objective at the end of it to attempt and win the pool and have the bye straight to the quarterfinals and so the match piece, to start off against a real good crew, China offered a lot of issues for us.
“We just had a lot of different people in different moments step up, and that’s what we need. We’re at our best when we have a lot of different people contributing.”
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