Caitlin Clark is set to debut for Team USA in its FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title defense. They held a practice session ahead of the start of the tournament, and WNBA legend Sue Bird was in attendance. Cameras captured the Indiana Fever star talking to her on the sideline, which grabbed a lot of fans’ attention.
The team’s first group phase game is scheduled for Friday against China. Team USA has won the World Cup four consecutive times and aims to continue dominating the competition. Clark is joining forces with some of the WNBA’s biggest stars like Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers, among others.
Clark’s exchange with Bird, who is the managing director of the U.S. women’s basketball team, was posted on Instagram. Fans shared their reactions in the comments section.
“🗣️: Legend talks only,” one fan wrote.
“Sue coach her up !!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥,” a comment read.
“Sue looks like she wants to suit up…😊,” one user said.
“Body language of caitlin only guys…” another fan wrote.
“Sue Bird must be amazed to see what CC is doing in the league right now,” a reaction read.
“After the reaction on @sbird10 face, what did @caitlinclark22 tell her? 🧐🏀🤷🏻♀️,” another fan commented.
Bird played in the WNBA for 21 years before retiring in 2022. The 5-foot-9 guard is a 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-WNBA team member and four-time WNBA champion. She was named one of the Top 25 WNBA players of all time and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Meanwhile, Clark has led the Fever to a 26-14 record and will return to action on Sept. 18. They will face the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum. A two-game homestand follows against the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx.
Indiana is currently fifth in the standings with four games remaining in the regular season.
As for Team USA, they will kick off their title defense on Friday against China.
