Caitlin Clark has long been associated with the iconic No. 22, a number that has followed her from college stardom to her rookie season with the Indiana Fever.
But as she arrives at training camp with the U.S. women’s national team, that familiar number will not be stitched onto her jersey.
And, intriguingly, she’s not alone. Several top players who also wear No. 22 in the WNBA appear to have entered into an unspoken pact of sorts: none of them will claim it.
According to the published training camp roster from USA Basketball, the coveted No. 22 is completely unused for the December 12-14 sessions at Duke University.
The list includes stars such as A’ja Wilson, Sonia Citron, Veronica Burton and Cameron Brink, who each wear No. 22 for their respective WNBA teams.
Yet all have accepted alternative numbers for camp, leaving fans wondering if the group decided together to step away from the number temporarily.
For Clark, who will wear No. 17 at camp, the situation adds a layer of intrigue. Her participation itself is uncertain due to the groin injury that sidelined her after July 13.
She played just 13 games in her rookie season before being shut down, making it unclear how active she will be during national team drills as preparations begin for the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
A surprising lineup of temporary numbers raises questions
With national team camps often serving as early glimpses into future roster chemistry, many fans expected to see their favorite stars donning familiar digits.
Instead, the reshuffling points to a more flexible, and perhaps symbolic, approach among players. For some, it may simply be a logistical decision. For others, it could hint at a collective understanding that national team roles differ from those in the WNBA.
The full list includes Aliyah Boston wearing No. 30, Cameron Brink with No. 33, Veronica Burton assigned No. 23, and Sonia Citron wearing No. 20, all players who normally wear No. 22 for their pro teams. Meanwhile, Clark moves to No. 17, a sharp departure from her celebrated basketball identity.
Whether this is a temporary adjustment or something that carries into future competitions remains to be seen.
With the 2026 World Cup scheduled for September 4-13 in Germany and the WNBA still awaiting its next collective bargaining agreement, the broader landscape of scheduling and player availability remains in flux.
Representing the Fever along with Boston, Clark is one of several rising stars participating in the camp, which also includes Olympic veterans, collegiate phenoms like JuJu Watkins, and newly emerging standouts across the league.
For fans, the absence of No. 22 on every jersey may feel strange, even disappointing, but it also signals a unique moment where individual identities blend into a unified national purpose.
As training camp approaches, the mysterious absence of No. 22 adds a layer of curiosity to an already highly anticipated event.
Whether intentional or coincidental, it is yet another reminder that at the national team level, players often redefine themselves, sometimes literally, starting with the number on their backs.
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