When the topic is Caitlin Clark, the pressure seems to be too much to handle. As Team USA is wreaking havoc in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the attention is revolving around the 24-year-old. Coming to the competitive sphere after a long layoff, the Indiana Fever star earned herself a standing ovation from the fans.
And that’s not all. The former Iowa star’s performance so far has also impressed Stephanie White. But amid all the rosy stories, a recent development significantly bothered the fans. Despite performing well, the 2024 Rookie of the Year was not given a start by Kara Lawson. Thankfully, that complaint was promptly addressed.
Caitlin Clark Impresses In Her Maiden Team USA Start
The fans looked pretty agitated when Clark did not start for the third time against Italy. But the coach soon granted their wish and named the 2-time WNBA All-Star in the starting lineup against New Zealand. And she did not disappoint.
Logging in for 23 minutes, the Fever star finished with 14 points, six assists, and a couple of steals. Owing to her fine form, Team USA recorded its fourth consecutive victory as it beat New Zealand 101-46.
Interestingly, this change took place in the absence of the regular head coach, Kara Lawson. While she attended Selection Sunday at Duke, Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts managed the team.
Caitlin Clark vs New Zealand:
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) March 15, 2026
14 points (6/11)
6 assists (0 TO)
2 steals
USA finish 4-0 in groups pic.twitter.com/NWbQoYVzW9
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Together with Clark, Tibbetts started Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Monique Billings. Unfortunately, the initial rotation struggled as the score stood 11-10 at one point. Resorting to the bench immediately, the team improved on its performance.
Praising the options available in this team, Tibbetts said, “The beauty of having a great team is we have a lot of people who can contribute to winning. When we went to our second unit, the level was raised. First group didn’t have it, didn’t set the tone. The second group came in and we got it going and kept it going the rest of the game.”
Meanwhile, putting on an all-around performance, Clark had another record broken with her incredible play.
Caitlin Clark Drops Assists Record For Team USA
The Iowa-native is not just about scoring. When needed, she can also stand up and pave the path for her fellow mates to score. Playing against Senegal in the tournament opener, Clark served 12 assists in a single game. This made her effort rank as the second-most assists by a Team USA player in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Next up, coming into the game against New Zealand, Clark already had 19 assists in 3 games. But as she helped KiKi Iriafen clinch a two-point layup, the Fever star had her fourth assist of the game and 23rd overall.
Most assists in a Fiba cup qualifying tournament ( games played)
— CT Smith (@scaryman42) March 12, 2026
1. Chelsea Gray ( 3 ) 2020 22
2. Chelsea Gray ( 3 ) 2019 18
3. Jewell Loyd ( 3 ) 2020 15
4. Kelsey Plum ( 3 ) 2024 14
5. Caitlin Clark ( 1 ) 2026 12
This meant that Clark has now overtaken Chelsea Gray’s 22 assists for the most by a Team USA athlete in a single FIBA World Cup qualifier. The 24-year-old ended with 25 assists.
Thus, as the face of WNBA looks to be in sublime form, fans will be eager to see what’s next.