Caitlin Clark returned to Team USA in San Juan after an eight-month injury hiatus, wearing her familiar No. 12, energized and focused, determined to lead the squad and set the tone for the FIBA World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday night, showing she had fully recovered.
Early in the first quarter, Clark fired a deep three-pointer that rattled around the rim before dropping, giving her first points, while forwardAngel Reese leapt from the bench in celebration and Rae Burrell joined in, instantly lifting the team’s morale and energy.
“I know that’s what I can kind of bring this team, getting easy shots for everybody else,” Clark said. “That’s what I take a lot of pride in. I just want to make it easy for everybody else,” showing her unselfish leadership and court vision.
Clark finished her debut with 17 points and 12 assists in 19 minutes, personally accounting for 38 points in the 110-46 rout over Senegal, as Rhyne Howard scored 21, Paige Bueckers added nine, and Angel Reese contributed six points while hauling in eight rebounds.
Clark admitted she was “sucking air” early in the game, but quickly found her rhythm, facilitating teammates and maintaining a fast pace, which allowed Team USA to flow offensively while giving her confidence in her first senior national team action in eight months.
She immediately set up three consecutive assists to Monique Billings and Kelsey Plum, orchestrating scoring while enabling her teammates to thrive, demonstrating her vision, control, and leadership while showing the intensity and focus she brings to high-level international competition.
Team USA breezes past Senegal
Team USA dominated Senegal 110-64, with Clark’s first three-pointer igniting the offense and Angel Reese enthusiastically cheering on each play, creating energy and confidence, as the Americans established early control, dictated the tempo, and maintained consistent pressure throughout the contest.
Clark quickly adapted to live competition, producing multiple assists, while Bueckers and Reese added points, helping the team maintain relentless pace and showing Clark’s leadership and quick decision-making could immediately shape Team USA’s offensive flow and momentum in the qualifier.
Beyond scoring, Clark emphasized distributing the ball and keeping the offense moving at a high tempo, enabling players like Howard, Billings, and Plum to thrive, while Angel Reese’s constant support reinforced the team’s chemistry and lifted morale as the Americans built an overwhelming lead.
Clark’s performance highlighted her recovery and readiness after months off, proving she can play at a high pace, create for teammates, and lead the Americans, who now have full confidence she will be a central figure during the World Cup in Germany this September, giving the team a clear edge.
Team USA will face Puerto Rico next in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, March 12 at 20:00 ET/17:00 PT, with the game being broadcast on truTV and HBO Max.
This will be their second game of the five-game group stage, giving Caitlin Clark another opportunity to continue building rhythm after her return.
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