After playing only 13 games last year, Caitlin Clark opened up about her frustrated state of mind. Thankfully, with tireless efforts from her medical team, the 24-year-old is finally at her 100% fitness. And following a near 1-year absence from the basketball court, the Indiana Fever star is raring to go.
With the FIBA World Cup qualifiers coming up, she will get a chance to prove her worth soon. Focusing on rebuilding her body confidence, Clark has now overcome injury fears. However, while trying to find her rhythm back, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star spotted Kiki Iriafen’s excellence in the national camp. And Clark thinks she is en route to a bright future.
Caitlin Clark Excited To Spot Kiki Iriafen’s Basketball Prospects
After her stellar NCAA season, the Washington Mystics picked Iriafen in the draft. Immediately, she showed her worth by dropping some game-winning performances. Back in September, the 22-year-old clinched the single-season double-double record for the Mystics.
Getting the 16th double-double of the season, the WNBA rookie toppled the previous record held by Crystal Langhorne, who had 15 double-doubles in 2010. And now, carrying her fiery form into the Team USA camp, the Mystics’ star has garnered Clark’s attention.
“But like, the way her game has kind of evolved and how she’s just gotten better, especially over the course of the year, she’s only played professionally for one year. I don’t think people always appreciate her and like notice her and what her game does,” Clark said per FIBA Basketball.
“This is my first time on the senior national team, so that poses a different aspect. There is no better way than just getting tossed into the fire," says @CaitlinClark22 ahead of #FIBAWWC Qualifiers in Puerto Rico.
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) March 9, 2026
Read more on her experience so far with @usabasketball ⤵️…
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She further added, “And obviously, I haven’t played against her yet as a professional, but getting to watch her from the sideline this year, she was outstanding, and I think she has a really bright future too.”
Ending the season on a high, the 22-year-old had averages of 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, donning the national colors for the first time, the 2024 Rookie of the Year admitted having butterflies in her stomach.
Caitlin Clark Opens Up About Her Jitters Ahead Of Team USA Debut
Back in 2024, the Fever star had a controversial exclusion from the Team USA squad. Making news as the sole NCAA talent receiving an invitation for the final training camp, the WNBA star failed to turn up due to her college commitments. But this time around, the spirits are higher than ever.
Returning after almost a year, the champion basketballer is now a bit nervous. Speaking with ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Clark said, “I haven’t played basketball in eight months. So getting to do it at this level for my first time back, there’s no better way to get tossed into the fire … I know the day of the day of the game I’m going to be hyped up. Probably a little anxious, but in a good way.”
Speaking to us here in Puerto Rico, Caitlin Clark says she has “butterflies” leading into her first game with the senior national team — also her first game action since July.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) March 9, 2026
“I haven’t played basketball in eight months. So getting to do it at this level for my first time…
Thus, with a bunch of promising stars gracing the Team USA camp, Clark and co. hopes to make merry in their FIBA outing.