Caitlin Clark Returns for Team USA
Caitlin Clark is back on the court, suiting up for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers after nearly eight months off [https://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/48157776/caitlin-clark-excited-return-court-fiba-qualifiers]. She admits to having "butterflies" ahead of her senior national team debut [https://www.si.com/wnba/caitlin-clark-explains-why-butterflies-national-team-debut]. However, she won’t be wearing her Fever jersey yet, as the WNBA season is on hold pending a new CBA [https://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/48157776/caitlin-clark-excited-return-court-fiba-qualifiers].
Clark's return comes as the WNBA and its players union (WNBPA) are in tense CBA negotiations, with a deadline of today, March 10, for an agreement to avoid delaying the season. Revenue sharing remains a key sticking point, with the union seeking a percentage of gross revenue. Clark is one of 12 players on the USA roster for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17. The United States has already qualified for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin, Germany, by winning the 2025 Women's AmeriCup. This tournament marks Clark's debut on the senior national team, though she previously won three gold medals with USA Basketball at the youth level. She was named MVP at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. Clark reflected on her journey, stating that playing for Team USA has been a dream since she was in the third grade. The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament includes 24 national teams competing for 11 spots at the World Cup, which will take place in Berlin, Germany, in September. The teams are divided into four tournaments, each featuring six teams playing a round-robin format. The top three teams from most tournaments will qualify for the World Cup. Clark's WNBA career was temporarily put on hold due to a series of quad, groin, and ankle injuries that cut her second season short. In 13 games, she averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 assists. After a stellar rookie season where she set league records in assists, Clark was named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-WNBA First Team. Team USA will face Senegal, New Zealand, Italy, Puerto Rico and Spain in the tournament. Other qualifying tournaments are taking place in China, Turkey, and France. The USA team includes WNBA stars such as Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Kelsey Plum.
