SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – With 90 seconds left in the first quarter of Team USA’s game against Senegal on Wednesday, Caitlin Clark Launched the ball. After rattling and bouncing around the rim, he finally passed the hoop, giving Clark his first bucket of the night – and his first in eight months.
Clark made his debut for the senior national team in a 110–64 victory over the United States in the first game of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Playing for the first time since July, Clark finished with 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting – all 3-pointers – and 12 assists in 19 minutes.
“I thought I’d be worried, but I was just excited,” Clark said. “I’ve been preparing for this for a very long time. …There’s nothing like being out there and having fun, especially with such a talented group of guys. It came to me very quickly, especially once I got the first three to hang out with.”
In July, Clarke was ruled out indefinitely after suffering a right groin injury while playing indiana feverAnd then a bone bruise in his left ankle prevented him from fully testing his back recovery. Fever laid him off in September.
Clark did most of his rehabilitation away from Indiana. She attended Team USA’s camp in December and said she felt 100%, but she was unsure how quickly it would take her to return to form once she started playing again.
On Wednesday against Senegal, Clark said it took him about four minutes to feel normal again after he hit his first 3-pointer. As soon as he entered the middle of the first quarter, he impacted the game and provided three assists in three consecutive games. first bounce was close monique billingsThose who cut short for lay-ins through contact. Next was a chest pass kelsey plumWho was waiting along the 3-point arc and ready for the catch-and-shoot. There was another bounce pass to Billings in the third transition.
USA head coach Kara Lawson said she stressed to Clark the importance of her role as a facilitator.
“She brings this dynamic game to the offensive end,” Lawson said. “As much as she’s a dynamic scorer, she’s also one of the most dynamic playmakers in the world. So we talked about utilizing all of her talents [around her]. This is the most talented team he has played for. …I thought she was swinging between playing really well and scoring.”
As well as focusing on passing, Clarke said she wanted to emphasize playing with pace, admitting that she had to “suck air” early on. But Clarke said he felt he quickly got his rhythm back.
“I know what I can bring to this team: rhythm and speed,” she said.
Clark said the 19 minutes he spent on the floor in his first game action in eight months was the right amount of time for him to get comfortable.
“More than anything, it makes me happy that I’m super sweaty right now and I get to play basketball,” Clark said.
Paige Bueckers And angel reese Also made his national team debut on Wednesday. Bueckers finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists in 14 minutes, and Reese finished with six points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes. Reese also started the game.
Team USA will play four more games in the qualifiers, although the team has already punched its ticket to the World Cup, which will be held in Germany this September.
