Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers had an amazing FIBA outing for Team USA. In the recently concluded FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, Clark and Paige led their squad to five straight wins.

The Indiana Fever star averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists. Clark also shot 40% from three and 52.9% from the field. As for the Dallas Wings guard, she averaged 10.6 points, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals. Bueckers also shot an efficient 40% from three and 50% from the field.

The backcourt duo helped Team USA finish with an undefeated record heading into the FIBA Women’s World Cup in September.

WNBA: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers’ impressive FIBA performance

Bueckers was part of the top 10 in scoring of the whole tournament. On top of that, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year was also in the top three in steals. This is her first time representing the senior national team, and she definitely made her mark.

As for the previous WNBA Rookie of the Year, Clark was in the top five in points per game. To put the cherry on top, Clark also led the whole tournament in assists. This is also Clark’s first time suiting up for Team USA at the senior level. 

However, this is not the first time that the two guards represented the USA at the same time. In the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup, Bueckers and Clark led Team USA to a gold medal finish.

The official Instagram account of the FIBA Women’s World Cup acknowledged the long-running partnership of the two. The account shared a post showing Bueckers and Clark during their 2019 tournament and the 2026 qualifiers. 

“7 years apart. Same same but different

“ FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup

“ FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

“What’s next for CC12 and PB4? ” FIBA’s caption read. 

 

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The strong statement drew positive reactions from basketball fans.

“Two amazing players! ” a user commented.

“These two make the perfect back-court duo. They will rule USA basketball for years to come ” another said.

“What a pleasure watching these two amazingly talented athletes play together!!!” exclaimed a viewer.

“@caitlinclark22 & @paigebueckers they are like ” a reaction read. 

“CC and PB ” a supporter shared.

“See how buff they got?” another said about their physical transformation.

Fans are excited to see what’s next for both Bueckers and Clark. The Team USA duo is expected to have more moments for the national team in years to come, starting with the World Cup in Germany in September. 

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Caitlin Clark and Team USA dominated the recently concluded FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They scored the most points in the tournament with 479. Team USA also had the best defense, only allowing 269 points scored against them.

Additionally, five players averaged 10 or more points for Team USA this tournament. On top of that, multiple Team USA players were included in the top five in points, steals, rebounds and assists for the tournament.

Kahlea Cooper is among the top three in points, Angel Reese for rebounds, Monique Billings for blocks and Paige Bueckers for steals. All this shows how the Americans really dominated this tournament.

Caitlin Clark leads Team USA atop the FIBA Women’s rankings

Team USA went undefeated in the tournament, posting a 5-0 record to win Group A. After their successful run, they solidified their place atop the FIBA World Women’s ranking. A big part of their success is the Clark. This is her first tournament with the senior national team, and she showed up. 

On Saturday, FIBA announced the updated rankings following the qualifying tournaments. Unsurprisingly, Team USA maintained its spot at No. 1.

 

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Clark averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists in five games for Team USA. The 24-year-old sharpshooter was in the top four in scoring, and she led the qualifiers in assists. Because of that, she was named to the All-Star Five of the tournament. She was also named the tournament MVP.

Despite being away from organized basketball for almost eight months, Clark was still effective for USA Basketball. She was efficient this tournament, shooting 40% from three and 52.9% from the field.

Whether Clark was starting or coming off the bench, she provided the much-needed boost for Team USA. She provided the playmaking to keep the ball rolling for the team.

Clark will bring the momentum from her eventful offseason to the Fever as they try to win the WNBA Championship.

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“Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have been taking over for Team USA during the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. The guard duo is currently two of the three leading scorers of Team USA this tournament.

Bueckers is averaging 10.6 points and 2.2 assists per game, while Clark is averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 assists. Both players are averaging at least 50.0% from the field and 40.0% from three. Both have been pivotal to the squad’s success throughout the tournament.

Team USA closed out its campaign on Tuesday with an 84-70 win over Spain. The Americans finished with a perfect 5-0 record to win Group A.

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers lead the way for Team USA 

Team USA has been dominant in this qualifying tournament. They finished the tournament first in points per game with 95.8. Team USA also has the highest plus-minus with +210.

As for Bueckers, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has found a running mate in Clark. The sharpshooting WNBA guards scored a total of 111 points this tournament. They found their touch and rhythm as the tournament progressed.

The official Instagram account of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup showcased the connection between the two stalwarts. On the Instagram post, they shared a highlight between Bueckers and Clark.

The post shared the caption “When Paige calls, Caitlin answers ”

 

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The post highlights the development between the two as Bueckers set up Clark for a quick three in transition.

Clark, Bueckers and the rest of Team USA will now turn their attention to the World Cup. They have a lot of momentum on their side, which they will look to carry over to Berlin, Germany, in September.

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The careers of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese will forever be intertwined. It all began in college. 

Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Championship game. She taunted Clark late in the contest and ignited a national firestorm that transcended basketball. 

That storyline followed both stars into the pros. Clark went No. 1 overall to the Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft while Reese landed at No. 7 with the Sky. 

Now the two share the same uniform for Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The jersey may be the same. The rivalry, however, continues to reach new heights.

WNBA: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese both in the running for FIBA qualifying MVP

FIBA recently named standout players from each participating nation as candidates for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award. The winner will be announced following Team USA’s final group game against Spain on Tuesday. 

FIBA shared the nominees on its official Instagram account with a fitting caption: “Insane level of talent here. Who’s been your San Juan MVP?”

 

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As of writing, the top five vote-getters in the online poll all represent Team USA. Paige Bueckers leads the way, with Clark and Reese sitting close behind in second and third, respectively. Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young round out the top five.

It is no surprise that both Clark and Reese have drawn significant support. Clark has averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 assists across four games. Reese has contributed 7.5 points and a tournament-high 8.0 rebounds per game. Together, they have been key contributors to Team USA’s perfect 4-0 record.

Their rivalry, however, has not stayed dormant. Reese drew criticism for twice choosing not to pass to Clark on defensive rebounds during the Puerto Rico game. Clark, meanwhile, was caught on camera appearing to ignore Reese’s high-five attempt during the Senegal contest, drawing its own wave of fan reaction.

The MVP race adds yet another layer to the ongoing story between two of the WNBA’s most polarizing figures. 

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been a revelation for Team USA. She continues to dazzle at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 24-year-old is averaging 12.8 points and 6.3 assists across four games.

Clark has grown more comfortable with each outing, delivering her best performance yet against New Zealand. In her first start on Sunday, the two-time WNBA All-Star rewarded interim coach Nate Tibbetts’ trust with 14 points and six assists in 23 minutes of action.

Her stellar play has not gone unnoticed. FIBA has taken note of her impact at the tournament.

WNBA: Caitlin Clark among MVP candidates for FIBA qualifying tournament award

FIBA selected standout players from each participating nation as candidates for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award. The governing body released an online fan poll, announcing the nominees with a graphic on its official Instagram account.

“Insane level of talent here. Who’s been your San Juan MVP?” the caption read.

 

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Clark’s devoted fans flooded the comment section. “CC leading Team USA in points, assists and +/- is the only correct answer,” one wrote.

Another kept it simple: “It’s CC with the best stats so that should be the MVP.”

Others were more direct. “Caitlin Elizabeth Clark!” a fan declared. “CC all day every day!” another added.

Some users also showed love for Clark’s Team USA teammates. “CC PB but props to the whole team. RH as well,” one commenter wrote.

Another made the case for Paige Bueckers: “PB, all around most impactful and highest effort level on USA. Makes a difference in ways that don’t show up on any stat sheet as well.”

As of writing, Bueckers leads the fan vote with over 86,000 votes. The Dallas Wings guard has averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists across four games.

Clark sits in second place with over 66,000 votes. The MVP will be announced following Team USA’s final group game against Spain on Tuesday.

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Caitlin Clark made her first start for Team USA in Sunday’s 101-46 rout of New Zealand at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. 

The Indiana Fever guard made the most of the opportunity, posting 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting while knocking down 2-of-7 from three. She also shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. 

Beyond her scoring, Clark’s court vision and unselfishness stood out. She dished out a team-high six assists in 23 minutes of action. 

Team USA improved to 4-0 and enters its final game against Spain on Tuesday. Not everyone, however, was pleased with Clark’s promotion to the starting lineup.

Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark’s first Team USA start sparks debate online

Prior to tip-off against New Zealand, Team USA posted a graphic revealing its starting lineup. It featured Clark in the starting five for the first time, alongside Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Monique Billings and Dearica Hamby. The post generated significant buzz in the comment section, drawing both praise and pushback.

Clark fans are now facing backlash on social media after supposedly forcing Team USA’s hand.

One commenter took aim at Clark’s supporters, suggesting the online pressure had paid off. “The crying y’all did finally work Clark is starting,” the user wrote. 

Others echoed the sentiment. “Goodness I’m so glad this woman got a start so some of y’all can finally be satisfied,” one noted. 

Another added: “I’m sure this will calm the savages a little.”

 

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Clark’s supporters fired back. “She leads team in combined points and assists so……makes sense to start her,” one commenter argued.

 Another urged fans to keep perspective: “Everyone gets a chance to start if you haven’t noticed yall doing too much in the comments. Just enjoy basketball!!!” 

A third weighed in on her style of play: “Caitlin is the only pass first player. They all have court vision. Interesting statistics performance.”

The back-and-forth reflects the broader reality of Team USA’s approach under interim coach Nate Tibbetts. The squad has been rotating lineups throughout the tournament, testing different combinations to find the most effective unit ahead of the World Cup in Berlin. 

Whether Clark holds her spot in the starting lineup against Spain on Tuesday remains to be seen.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is back to form. After an injury-riddled second year in the WNBA, Clark has hit the ground running for Team USA.

Her squad is competing at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 24-year-old fan-favorite has continued to impress alongside fellow stars Paige Bueckers, Kahleah Cooper and Kelsey Plum, among others.

Clark has racked up 51 points and 25 assists across four games so far for the undefeated Team USA. Against New Zealand on Sunday, all eyes were on Clark once again.

WNBA: Team USA salutes Caitlin Clark’s standout first start against New Zealand

After coming off the bench in her first three games with Team USA, Clark earned her first start against New Zealand. The Americans steamrolled to a 101-46 victory, improving to 4-0 in the qualifying tournament.

Clark started alongside Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Monique Billings and Dearica Hamby. She rewarded interim coach Nate Tibbetts’ decision with a polished outing.

Clark posted 14 points on 6-of-11 from the field, 2-of-7 from three and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. The Fever star also dished out a team-high six assists in 23 minutes of action.

Team USA’s official Instagram account celebrated her performance, sharing a graphic of her stat line alongside her best highlights.

The reel featured step-back threes, elite court vision and lockdown defense. Team USA issued a strong statement.

“CC came to play in her first start for the ,” the caption read.

 

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Rhyne Howard led all scorers with 18 points off the bench. Plum and Billings added 10 points apiece. Operating at point guard, Clark thrived with the ball in her hands more than in previous games. She created shots for herself and her teammates with a natural authority.

Team USA faces Spain next on Tuesday. Clark carries strong momentum into the Americans’ final game of the qualifying tournament.

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WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been one of the most well-known basketball players in the past few years. She was a headliner in the sports world while in college with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Clark surpassed “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record that was untouched for 54 years.

Clark then became the No.1 overall pick of the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She won the Rookie of the Year award, was named an All-Star and was the league leader in assists in her debut season. The Fever star currently has career shooting averages of 32.9% from three and 40.5% from the field.

Unfortunately, she was injured for most of her second season, playing in only 13 games. 

Caitlin Clark wows from Team USA during the World Cup Qualifiers

Amid her injury, the sharpshooting guard used the offseason to get back into shape. This led USA Basketball to invite Clark to participate in the training camp in preparation for the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. 

Clark made the cut for the final squad, marking her first time representing the USA senior national team. In her first game for Team USA, she scored 17 points and dished out 12 assists in 19 minutes. She also had a near-perfect game, missing only one shot from the field.

In their latest game against Italy, Clark led the USA in scoring with 12 points (tied with Paige Bueckers). One of Clark’s highlights was posted on an Instagram video by the official FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup account.

 

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The slow-mo video of Clark’s long-range triple gained multiple positive reactions from fans online.

“” a user commented.

“I love Caitlin.” one comment said.

“Laser focus on basket ” a fan commented.

“Caitlin made Team USA a +27 today the Team was +7 without her.” said another. 

“And them Kobe 5s are HITTING ” a comment said about Clark’s shoes.

“Girrrrlll! ” a supporter exclaimed.

Clark is third in the tournament scoring, tied with Bueckers. She is also leading the qualifiers in assists per game. 

With two more games left for Team USA, a lot of eyes are on Clark to maintain her incredible form.

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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been balling out for Team USA this WNBA offseason. In her first-ever experience with the USA senior national team, Clark is leading the squad in scoring and assists.

Clark is coming off an injury that limited her to only 13 games in the last WNBA season. She has not played organized basketball for nearly eight months. Clark’s last game was against the Connecticut Sun in July.

Despite that, Clark was still called up to represent Team USA. The sharpshooting guard has been playing well in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. So far, Team USA has won three games, with two more left on its schedule.

Caitlin Clark faces Angel Reese backlash during Team USA game

In her last three games, Clark has been averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 assists. She is also shooting an efficient 62.5% from the field and 53.8% from three. In Clark’s Team USA debut, she scored 17 points and had 12 assists.

However, in their game against Puerto Rico, she was in a bit of a slump. Clark only scored eight points. She was also inefficient, shooting 33% from the field and only 20% from three. On top of that, she drew a lot of flak. A video from the game showed Clark apparently ignoring Angel Reese’s high-five attempt.

Caitlin Clark does NOT like Angel Reese pic.twitter.com/BaNnYJD8Wt

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 13, 2026

This drew a lot of attention online, criticizing Clark’s behavior towards her Team USA teammate.

“Why is she ignoring her @grok? Do they have beef,” a user commented.

“Hella disrespectful and that does look intentional sadly,” a viewer added.

“How would you tell me she didn’t see that hand?” a comment said along with a funny meme.

“That’s a character flaw on her, dont matter if you dont like someone or not, when you represent the Star and stripes you band together. She obviously still salty about not winning the natty,” a reaction read.

“I get it.  But you’re currently on the same team.  Clark needs to take the high road, be the good person regardless…doing so invalidates all of the prior shade Reese has thrown at you.  Don’t be like her, that gives Reese credibility in the eyes of those who want to doubt you,” another said.

“I can’t see CC leaving her teammate hanging like that. But I admit, it’s not a good look,” a supporter declared.

The rivalry between Clark and Reese goes way back to their collegiate basketball days. It extended when they turned pro. Despite that, both stars are now considered the “face of the league.”

Now that they’re teammates for Team USA, WNBA legend Lisa Leslie praised their partnership for the national team. Either way, both Reese and Clark will be the future of the WNBA and the USA National Team.

The post WNBA: Caitlin Clark facing major accusation with Team USA appeared first on ChiCitySports.

WNBA star Caitlin Clark has taken the basketball world by storm since her collegiate days. Currently, the sharpshooting guard is representing Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

With the Indiana Fever, Clark is already a two-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year winner and an All-WNBA first-team member. She led the league in assists during her rookie season, averaging 8.4 assists. Unfortunately, a slew of recurring injuries kept her out for most of her second year. Clark only played in 13 games during the 2025 season.

Despite that, the former Iowa Hawkeye has been making good progress in her recovery. Clark has been called up to be part of Team USA’s squad for the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Caitlin Clark still coming off bench for Team USA

Even though Clark is coming off an injury, she was still selected to represent Team USA. This is the first senior national team selection for the Fever guard. Clark had the chance to be part of Team USA’s 2024 Summer Olympics squad. Unfortunately, she was playing in the NCAA tournament during that time.

In her first game for Team USA in the World Cup qualifiers, Clark showed that she’s not rusty. She came off the bench and finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points and dishing out 12 assists. The Fever guard also shot 80% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line.

In three games, Clark is averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 assists. She is tied with Paige Bueckers as the leading scorer for Team USA. Clark also leads the tournament in assists and ranks third in scoring.

Despite her strong play, Clark has yet to start this tournament. Team USA is now facing intense backlash for its decision to leave out the Fever star from the starting lineup.

“For a third straight game, Caitlin Clark is still not starting. Every player on this team has started except Caitlin Clark and Burrell. Absolutely disgraceful. ” a comment on X read.

“It can’t be good for her to warm up and then go sit for 10 or 15 minutes,” a user said.

“They make her spend more time on the bench…SMH!” a fan commented.

“She’s not a damn role player. She’s one of the one. Best PG in the nation. Her talent is from another dimension and they don’t utilize her talent for it,” a supporter mentioned.

“But she is the best player. Odd,” another said.

“I used to think [Kara Lawson] was a great coach…not anymore,” declared a viewer.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is taking her signature flair to the world stage. 

Clark’s second year in the WNBA was difficult. Multiple lower-body injuries limited her to just 13 games, but she still averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. 

That was enough to earn her a spot on Team USA for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Now fully healthy, Clark is wasting no time finding her groove. Her second outing for Team USA against Puerto Rico on Thursday showed flashes of the player the basketball world knows her to be.

WNBA: Team USA salutes Caitlin Clark’s logo three-pointer against Puerto Rico

Team USA drubbed host Puerto Rico 91-48 at the Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan on Thursday. Paige Bueckers led the way with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Angel Reese added a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Clark came off the bench in her return from an injury-riddled year with the Fever. She finished with eight points on 2-of-6 from the field and 1-of-5 from three, adding three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 18 minutes of play.

Her best moment came with roughly 1:30 left in the third quarter. Her defender backed off, leaving Clark several steps behind the three-point line. She did not need an invitation. 

The two-time All-Star used a hesitation dribble and step-back to create space and launched a shot near the logo. It hit nothing but net, a familiar sight for Fever fans.

Team USA’s official Instagram account captured the moment with a fitting statement.

“CC calls check mate ” Team USA posted on Instagram.

 

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It is good to see Clark finding her rhythm and doing what she does best. She figures to be a major weapon for Team USA. The Americans set their sights on winning gold at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin this September. 

The post FIBA issues Caitlin Clark statement after Team USA win appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is carrying the flag for Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. 

The 23-year-old is also putting the Sky on the world stage. Reese is coming off a strong second WNBA season. She averaged 14.7 points, a league-best 12.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 2025.

The two-time All-Star will once again serve as the centerpiece for coach Tyler Marsh’s squad, looking to bounce back from a 10-34 campaign. With Team USA already 2-0 in qualifying, Reese is making her presence felt well beyond the WNBA.

WNBA: Angel Reese delivers double-double as Team USA routs Puerto Rico, Sky reacts

Team USA made easy work of Puerto Rico, 91-48, at the Coliseum Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan on Thursday. Angel Reese came off the bench and delivered the only double-double of the game. The Sky star posted 10 points and 13 rebounds in 16 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field while adding one steal and a block.

Team USA shared a graphic of Reese’s impressive stat line on social media.

“Double double on the big stage for Angel,” read Team USA’s statement.

The Sky wasted no time celebrating one of their own, reposting the image on their official Instagram Stories. Chicago had no words, choosing to simply share the post without any caption.

 

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Paige Bueckers led all scorers with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Kelsey Plum added 12 points while Caitlin Clark chipped in eight.

Reese’s performance keeps Team USA rolling toward a strong showing at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin this September. The Americans remain unbeaten through two games in the qualifying tournament.

The outing also extends a strong run of form for Reese. Prior to joining Team USA, she turned in a solid Unrivaled stint with Rose BC.

With Team USA set to face Italy on Saturday, Reese figures to be a key presence in the frontcourt once again.

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Lisa Leslie is one of the most well-known figures of the WNBA. Along with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, they are among the most-recognized WNBA players in history.

Leslie is considered to be one of the best female basketball players of all time. The 53-year-old is part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2015. 

In her career, she won two WNBA championships, three WNBA MVPs and two WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards. On top of that, she is also an eight-time WNBA All-Star and she has 12 All-WNBA selections.

Leslie is also successful on the international stage. She has led the USA Women’s Basketball team to two FIBA World Cup gold medals and four consecutive Olympic Gold medals.

WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie gives respect to Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

Clark and Reese are two of the most recognizable players in the WNBA today. Since joining the league in 2024, they have been touted as the new faces of the WNBA. Clark is known for her prolific scoring, while Reese earned a reputation for her tenacity and rebounding.

This time around, the young stars are representing the same team — the United States of America. Clark and Reese are part of Team USA’s lineup for the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.

Clark is wearing number 12 for Team USA, while Reese is donning the number 9. Their jersey numbers are reminiscent of two Team USA legends — Diana Taurasi and Leslie. 

On social media, Leslie shared a post highlighting both duos. The WNBA icon added a caption to her Instagram story.

“Got it right @caitlinclark22 and @angel.reese” wrote Leslie. 

 

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The duo of Clark and Reese still has a long way to go. This is the first time for both stars to suit up for the USA’s senior national team. And, compared to Leslie, they have four Olympic golds and two World Cup golds to catch up to. 

Either way, the future of Team USA’s women’s team is in good hands.

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Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has returned to competitive play after a grueling eight-month hiatus. The 24-year-old made her Team USA senior debut Wednesday in Puerto Rico. She helped the team kick off its 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament against Senegal.

For Clark, the appearance marks a major professional milestone and the end of a frustrating recovery. Recurring injuries sidelined her after just 13 games in the 2025 WNBA season. A right groin injury on July 15 cut her season short.

After months of intensive rehabilitation, the WNBA star said she has reached a point of physical and mental clarity. However, she was candid about the toll the recovery process took on her.

Caitlin Clark opens up about frustrating 2025 WNBA season and comeback

Reflecting on the disappointment of last season, Clark noted how difficult it was to see her preparation go to waste.

“Probably the part that kind of stunk about it is I felt like I put in so much time and so much energy going into last season,” she said in an interview. “And then obviously I only appeared in about 13 games and some of those, I probably wasn’t as healthy as I probably should have been.”

According to the 6-foot guard, her minor but recurring injuries created a frustrating cycle that drained her body and mind.

“It was these nagging injuries that continued to build up and build up — and dealt with one on top of the other,” she continued. “I think that probably almost played with my mind even more. Knowing I was going to be out for a set period of time, I was always trying to come back, always trying to come back, and then I’d get hurt in another way and then finally, obviously, shutting it down.”

Caitlin Clark leaves no regrets 

Clark spent the offseason working with the Fever’s medical and development staff to regain her health. She said the long rehabilitation period not only helped her rebuild physically but also helped restore confidence in her body. 

“When you’ve dealt with so many little soft tissue injuries, you can get in your head a little bit,” she admitted. “I think, at least past couple months, I’ve really put that behind me and really just feel confident in what I’ve been able to build and where my body’s at. And more than anything, where my game’s at. I know I’ve put in as much time as I can truly can.”

Despite the long layoff, Clark believes she has improved and is ready to make an impact in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament. She will play alongside top WNBA players such as Angel Reese, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Paige Bueckers. They will compete in a five-game slate in Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17.

After Senegal, Team USA will face Puerto Rico on Thursday, Italy on Saturday, New Zealand on Sunday and Spain next Tuesday. With such a packed schedule, Clark’s fitness and stamina will surely be put to the test.

The post Caitlin Clark’s health admission after playing 13 games in 2025 WNBA season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has taken the WNBA by storm since she arrived. The sharpshooting guard is already a two-time WNBA All-Star and a Rookie of the Year winner. On top of that, she is also one of the most well-known names in basketball.

Even before going professional, Clark had already caught the attention of the basketball world. During her years as an Iowa Hawkeye, she broke the all-time NCAA Division I scoring record among men and women. She surpassed “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s 54-year record of 3,667 points.

Unfortunately for Clark, she had a down year in her second season. She was riddled with injuries that caused her to play only 13 games.

Caitlin Clark receives support from the Indiana Fever during the WNBA offseason

Despite her injury-riddled second year in the WNBA, Clark was still chosen to represent the United States National Basketball team. 

Clark last suited up for the USA Women’s National team during the FIBA U-19 World Cup in Hungary. She helped the squad win the gold medal in the 2021 tournament. She also had an opportunity to get her first senior squad experience in 2024.

The six-foot guard was invited to participate in the national training camp for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, she was playing in the NCAA tournament at the time and wasn’t able to participate.

This time around, Clark was named to the team and participated in their training camp in December. Despite being away from organized basketball for nearly eight months, she was named to the final roster.

Team USA officially announced Clark via an Instagram post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by USA Basketball (@usabasketball)

Clark will be representing the USA Women’s national team in the FIBA World Cup qualification tournament in Puerto Rico.

In her first experience for the senior team, Clark will don the number 12. Clark was shown wearing her USA threads in the post.

The official Fever account sent a message to Clark ahead of her Team USA debut.

“CC ready, let’s goooo ” the Fever commented.

Clark’s participation in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers is a good litmus test of her recovery. This will also help her gauge her conditioning before the new WNBA season. Fever fans are watching closely and cheering on as they are eager to get their superstar back on the court.

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WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been sidelined for nearly eight months due to an injury she suffered last year. Despite that, she was still named an All-Star in her second season in the league.

In just her rookie year, she took the WNBA by storm. Clark was the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft. She averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists in her first year. Clark won the Rookie of the Year award as she led the Indiana Fever to a 20-20 record. 

Clark immediately brought the winning mentality to Indiana. She led the team to their first winning record and playoff appearance since 2016.

Unfortunately, her injury caused her to only play in 13 games last season. Since then, she has been busy working hard to get back on the court as soon as she can.

Caitlin Clark gets ready for big career move outside WNBA

Even though she was sidelined last season, Clark was still a big asset to women’s basketball. Which is why she was called up to the USA Women’s National Basketball team. In December 2025, she participated in her first senior national training camp.

However, this wasn’t her first opportunity to play for the senior national team. She received an invitation to the 2024 Summer Olympics training camp. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend because she was playing in the NCAA that year.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Clark has been selected to represent the United States at the FIBA World Cup qualification tournament in Puerto Rico. This will be her first time representing Team USA at the seniot level. She previously played for the U.S. in the FIBA U-19 World Cup.

“I don’t want to call it nerves but excitement to play,” Clark said after practice on Monday. “This is a different stage. You’re not going to come out here and be the star player. That’s not how it’s going to be for USA Basketball.”

This will be Clark’s first organized basketball action since her injury. She shared that she feels 100% healthy but admits that it will take time to feel like herself again.

“I feel like I’ve put myself in the best possible shape I could be in at this point,” Clark. “The first game is the hardest, but once you get in kind of a flow of things, you figure things out.”

There is no better way for Clark to test her readiness than the national stage. Both Fever and WNBA fans will be tuned in to see her back in action.

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For the first time in nearly eight months, the most talked-about name in women’s basketball returns to a competitive court. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is officially making her U.S. senior national team debut this week at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Team USA will face Senegal at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Fever guard makes her debut on the court following a rigorous rehabilitation process. Clark last played a competitive game on July 15, when she injured her right groin. A series of lower-body injuries limited her to 13 games during the 2025 WNBA season.

WNBA: Fever celebrate Caitlin Clark’s debut for Team USA

The Fever celebrated Clark’s senior national team debut by posting several photos of her in international uniform on Instagram.

In the caption, the Fever shared its reaction to joining a new team during the WNBA offseason.

“New threads, same CC … @caitlinclark22 repping no. 12 for #USABWNT .”

 

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A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

Photos show a notable change in Clark’s jersey. Fans familiar with her trademark No. 22 saw her wearing No. 12 instead.  The change stems from traditional FIBA regulations, which require players to wear jersey numbers from 4 to 15. 

This rule was originally intended to help referees signal fouls clearly, avoiding confusion with lower numbers like 1, 2 or 3. FIBA eliminated the rule in 2014, but USA Basketball still uses numbers 4–15 to preserve tradition.

In a recent interview, Clark said wearing the U.S. jersey carries special meaning because of the program’s history and legendary players.

“This is my first time on the senior national team, so that poses a different aspect,” the two-time WNBA All-Star said. “I feel like I was just a young girl that was watching these senior national teams or watching the teams at the Olympics or the World Cup and, obviously now being 24 and being able to put on this jersey. 

“You know, any person that’s on this team, or ever has an opportunity to wear this jersey – how many amazing players have put this jersey on before you, and the dominance that they’ve had – whether it’s the World Cup qualifier, the World Cup, or, you know, the Olympics,” she added.

Clark, Team USA Preparing for FIBA World Cup

From March 11 to 17, 24 national teams will be competing in four global qualifying tournaments. Each tournament features six teams. In Puerto Rico, the field includes Team USA, host nation Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain, Senegal, and New Zealand. Other tournaments will take place in Turkey, France and China.

These qualifying games will determine the remaining 11 spots at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany, from Sept. 4 to 13. They will also serve as a critical evaluation period for players eyeing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. 

Four teams have already secured 2026 World Cup entry by winning their respective tournaments. The 2025 continental champions earning direct entry are Belgium (EuroBasket Women), the United States (AmeriCup), Australia (Asia Cup), and Nigeria (AfroBasket). Germany qualified automatically as the host. 

These teams are still playing in the qualifying tournaments to prepare for the World Cup in Berlin, while others fight for spots. 

Clark is no stranger to international competition. She played in the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2019 and 2021, winning gold in both tournaments. The Fever standout was named the tournament’s MVP in her second appearance. 

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Chicago Cubs fans will get to see their All-Star center fielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, get the start against Great Britain after Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton got hit by a pitch in his hand in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. The 2025 Gold Glove winner will bat ninth for manager Mark DeRosa.

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Crow-Armstrong came in to replace Buxton for the rest of the game on Friday and went 0-2 with two groundouts, while drawing a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to score his teammate, third baseman Alex Bregman.

Tarik Skubal is on the mound for @USABaseball tonight

: 8pm ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/tshIsb3nym

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 7, 2026

Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong has a chance to shine in his first World Baseball Classic start

Getting his feet wet playing on Friday in the US’s 15-5 drubbing of Brazil, Crow-Armstrong has a chance to put on a show against Great Britain, who are 0-1 after losing to Mexico (8-2) on Friday. Crow-Armstrong and the USA lineup will face 31-year-old right-hander Tyler Viza, who has no major league experience, but has a 43-63 record with a 4.40 ERA in 816.0 innings in nine minor league seasons.

In 148 games against right-handed pitching last season, Crow-Armstrong batted .271 with an OPS of .838 and hit 24 of his 31 home runs off right-handers. Against left-handers, Crow-Armstrong was not great, batting .188 with an OPS of .593 in 109 games.

Crow-Armstrong can likely expect to play the whole game against Great Britain, with DeRosa likely to proceed with caution after Buxton got hit. If Buxton is good to play, he could likely come in as a late-inning switch if Great Britain brings in a left-hander to face Crow-Armstrong.

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WNBA star Caitlin Clark took to Instagram to honor Team USA men’s hockey’s historic gold medal victory over Canada on Sunday.

The Americans defeated the Canadians 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, snapping a gold medal drought that stretched nearly five decades.

A passionate advocate for American sports, Clark has also thrown her support behind Toronto Maple Leafs center and fellow Nike athlete Auston Matthews.

The two-time All-Star is expected to pursue a roster spot on Team USA women’s basketball for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

When Team USA made history on Sunday, Clark was among the first to celebrate.

Caitlin Clark thrilled for Team USA men’s hockey’s remarkable feat

Clad in Nike gear, Team USA men’s hockey players basked in their monumental victory in a moment that will live forever.

The sporting giant captured the celebration on Instagram, tagging Matthews with the caption: “It only took 46 years for this. @austonmatthews and @teamUSA Hockey win Gold over Canada after a wild Olympic final.”

The photo also carried the words “No Miracles Needed,” which deeply resonated with Clark.

Remarkably, the victory fell on February 22, the same date as the original “Miracle on Ice” 46 years prior.

The Des Moines, Iowa native wasted no time reposting the tribute to her own Instagram story.

 

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A post shared by Nike (@nike)

Clark tuned in as Team USA and Canada battled to a 1-1 deadlock through three grueling periods, sending the gold medal showdown into sudden-death overtime.

With everything on the line, New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes rose to the occasion.

He buried a decisive goal just minutes into the extra frame. This resulted in one of the most unforgettable moments in USA men’s Olympic hockey history.

The 2-1 triumph snapped a gold medal drought that had stretched across nearly five decades.

Meanwhile, Clark knows a thing or two about making history. Her 2024 rookie campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. She shattered multiple WNBA records and earned Rookie of the Year honors. She carried that momentum into her sophomore season before injuries cut it short.

Through it all, Clark has always made a point to uplift those who deserve their moment in the spotlight. For Team USA men’s hockey, that moment was 46 years in the making.

The post Caitlin Clark shares historic news away from WNBA appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The World Baseball Classic is not too far away (March), and Team USA has been building a formidable roster.

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Team USA already has great names occupying the roster, such as back-to-back American League MVP and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, and the National League Cy Young Award winner from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes.

Adding yet another All-Star to their pitching staff, Team USA will be adding Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who announced he will be joining the team while appearing on the YouTube show “Foul Territory.”

“Yeah, you know, for me, my perspective is this, like any chance to get to represent our country is something that’s really special, and I’m grateful for this game,” Boyd said on “Foul Territory.” “It’s given me so many opportunities. I get to play a game for a living. You know, in 2009 on the 18 U team, I was the last cut in college. I was a replacement player. You know, I was the guy holding the spot for guys that were in the College World Series, and then, you know, I got sent home and went back to playing college summer baseball. So, you know, I definitely told the, you know, I told, I told the guys I was interested in doing it. And [Mark DeRosa] D-row called a couple weeks ago, and man, when he when he called it was something I just knew I wanted to do. So prayed about it. And, you know, I’m just, I’m super excited to get this opportunity, and, you know, represent Team USA to the best of my ability.”

BREAKING: Matthew Boyd announces he'll play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/ei4NDEosw2

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 3, 2025

Boyd, 34, was named to his first All-Star Team after signing a two-year $29 million contract with the Cubs with a $15 million mutual option for 2027. In 31 starts, Boyd went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and struck out 154 batters in 179.2 innings.

Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd adds value to Team USA’s pitching staff

Boyd, with his announcement, becomes the second pitcher to join Team USA’s starting rotation, with Skenes holding the mantle of Ace of the staff. Boyd also joins fellow All-Star and Cubs centerfielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who will likely be the starting centerfielder when games start.

Looking to take down the reigning World Baseball Classic champions, Japan, Team USA needs to add more top-level arms, like back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Back-to-back National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, leads Japan’s pitching staff, giving them a slight advantage.

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Javier Assad shut down Team USA and made it look easy.

Everybody is aware by now that Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster is loaded with talent to historic proportions. Last night, Mexico dominated Team USA with a final score of 11-5. Cubs pitcher Javier Assad played a huge part in Mexico’s impressive win.

Javier Assad pitched 3 innings while only allowing one hit. The only player who managed to record a hit off Assad was the legendary Los Angeles Angel, Mike Trout. Assad managed to strike out New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso twice and consistently touched 97 on the radar gun.

ASSAD is filthyyyy. Rotation is deeeeeep! @Cubs https://t.co/vYrR8kRJfR

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) March 13, 2023

While the Cubs’ fifth spot in the rotation is still seemingly up for grabs, this performance certainly bodes well for Javier Assad. Hayden Wesneski has also been dominant this spring. Wesneski arguably has the best chance to pin down that final rotation spot at this point in time. Either way, Cubs fans should be excited by the pitching depth the team will have this season.

The Cubs open up their season at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ll take on their division rivals on Thursday, March 30th with Marcus Stroman likely to start. As the WBC and spring training continue to unfold, it will be interesting to see who winds up with the final rotation spot.

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To pay homage to the historic 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team nicknamed the “Dream Team”, Fanatics has decided to launch their new collection in partnership with Mitchell & Ness.

On Thursday morning, the new collection went live featuring practice jerseys, game jerseys, shorts, shirts, sweatshirts, hats and more, giving fans the chance to purchase some awesome new items to sport come basketball season.

Check out some of the items below:

The design of the collection pays homage with the red, white and blue iconic uniforms they wore on route to winning Gold in Barcelona back in 1992.

To purchase, click here. You better hurry cause this collection won’t last long!

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The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio are taking front and center stage in the sports world right now.

If you’ve been watching any of the events, mainly basketball, you likely have seen some Chicago athletes in the spotlight. Both Jimmy Butler and Elena Delle Donne are playing for Team USA in the basketball competition as they each seek a Gold Medal.

To celebrate Team USA in Rio, Nike put together another awesome short film.

Titled “Unlimited Together”, the film shows video of the players on both the Men’s and Women’s team projected on buildings in a city. Butler and Delle Donne aren’t the only Chicago figures featured however.

The film features original lyrics from Chicago’s Chance the Rapper who puts the finishing touches on the awesome project. Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DFLoN3JosA&feature=youtu.be

Nike recently launched a new “Unlimited Campaign” which features both athletes and everyday people pushing their limits daily. They recently released a short film for “Unlimited Courage” and “Unlimited You.”

Read more about Nike’s new campaign including a special colorway for select shoes the company is releasing here.

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Jimmy Butler and the rest of Team USA is off to a great start at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. They opened with a big win over China and will host Venezuela on Monday.

But when the team isn’t on the court showing off their skills, they are killing time off the court having fun.

Butler and Klay Thompson shared videos on Instagram of the team killing some time by throwing the football around. One thing led to another and the next thing you know, they are running routes.

Here’s Butler burning Thompson on a deep ball:

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A post shared by Jimmy Butler (@jimmybutler)

Thompson got revenge and even gave a shoutout to the Raiders:

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A post shared by Klay Thompson (@klaythompson)

Butler may have the upper hand here as he’s good friends with Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas

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(@TheBullsShow) We’re back. From summer league (over?) reactions to 13th man speculation, we somehow find a way to extensively discuss a Bulls off-season mostly full of inactivity. We also take a look at other news and moves around the league, including Team USA mini-camp and how the East is shaping up.

Bulls Show 49: The Offseason

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