Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark headed into the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup as one of the favorites to win the tournament’s Most Valuable Player title. This came after the 6-foot guard led Team USA to a 5-0 record in the qualifying tournament in March, en route to winning the MVP award.
Clark was named the No. 4 MVP favorite in FIBA’s pre-tournament rankings for the World Cup. Her Team USA teammate, Breanna Stewart, ranked No. 1 on the initial MVP ladder. Gabby Williams of France and Emma Meesseman of Belgium rounded out the Top 3.
Clark’s MVP campaign got off to a hot start. She led Team USA to a 94-61 win against China in their tournament opener on Friday. Clark registered 14 points and 11 assists, which is the most by a Team USA player in their World Cup debut.
The Fever star, however, came crashing back down to earth on Sunday against Italy. She came off the bench again to log 19 minutes, but she finished with just one point on 0-of-6 shooting. It was the first time in her NCAA and WNBA career that Clark went without a single field goal in a game. She added four rebounds, an assist and one steal as the Americans escaped with a 55-52 victory.
After two games played, Clark is currently averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. She’s shooting 26.7% overall and 30.0% from three-point range.
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Her teammate, Stewart, hasn’t been exceptional either. The New York Liberty star is averaging 6.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in two games.
Williams and France, on the other hand, are also 2-0. The Golden State Valkyries forward is averaging 15.5 points on 54.5% shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per contest. She’s also knocking down 2.5 triples per game on a 41.7% clip.
The other pre-tournament MVP favorite is Meesseman, who is putting up 16.5 points on 46.7% shooting, along with 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Belgium is also undefeated in two games.
Additionally, only two players are averaging at least 20 points per game. Djeneba N’Diaye and Sika Kone, both from Mali, are putting up 20.5 and 20.0 points, respectively.
Two of the three game days have already been played in the group phase. Clark and Team USA play their final game on Monday against the Czech Republic, potentially giving the former WNBA Rookie of the Year a chance to raise her MVP stock.
The U.S. has already booked its spot in the quarterfinals after winning Group D.
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