Caitlin Clark won the MVP award in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March. This is after she led Team USA to a perfect 5-0 record, averaging 11.6 points and a tournament-best 6.4 assists per game.
Clark came off the bench in four out of the five games in the qualifiers. Nevertheless, she still logged 21.2 minutes per contest.
It was no different for the Indiana Fever superstar on Friday as she made her debut in the World Cup tournament in Berlin, Germany. Team USA head coach Kara Lawson went with Chelsea Gray as her starting point guard in their tournament opener against China, while Clark came off the bench behind her.
Clark turned in a strong performance in her first World Cup game. The 6-foot guard registered 14 points, 11 assists and three triples in a team-high 25 minutes of action. Her 11 assists were also the most for an American in a World Cup debut.
Coach Lawson spoke to the press after their 94-61 blowout win against China. She sent a strong message about Clark after deciding to exclude her from the starting five.
“I thought Caitlin was terrific coming off the bench,” Lawson said. “Changing the tempo of the game, her playmaking with 11 assists.”
Based on her comment, it appears that Lawson is happy to use Clark as a spark off the bench. It would not be a surprise if the Fever guard remains with the second unit for Team USA’s next game on Sunday against Italy.
Clark and Co. will close out their group stage games on Monday against the Czech Republic. Should they win Group D, Team USA will secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Friday’s dominant win was a good first step for the U.S. as they aim to secure their fifth straight World Cup gold.
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