Taurasi backs Caitlin Clark
Diana Taurasi publicly said there’s 'no one better' than Caitlin Clark to wear her iconic Team USA No. 12 — a big vote of confidence that heightens Clark’s international profile ahead of World Cup play. That endorsement matters for marketing and roster optics. (outkick.com)
Taurasi made the remarks during a Sports Illustrated Women's Fastbreak interview published March 23, 2026, where she reflected on seeing Caitlin Clark wear the No. 12 at this month's FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. (si.com) Taurasi spent two decades wearing No. 12 for Team USA and finished her international run with six Olympic gold medals and three FIBA world championships — milestones she referenced when discussing the number’s legacy. (espn.com) Clark appeared in the No. 12 at Team USA media day and during qualifying play after USA Basketball followed the long-standing practice of assigning numbers between 4 and 15 for international competitions. (youtube.com) Team USA added Clark for the senior squad’s March 2026 World Cup qualifying window, and USA Basketball lists the next big event for the roster as the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin this September. (athlonsports.com) Off the court, Clark’s merch impact remains large: Fanatics data placed her Fever No. 22 among the top-selling basketball jerseys in the U.S., and analysts have cited Clark’s market pull as a major factor in the Indiana Fever reaching an estimated $370 million franchise valuation. (justwomenssports.com) Taurasi also told SI she had no role in the number assignment and joked that former teammate Sue Bird “might have had something to do with it,” signaling the choice was handled inside Team USA’s circle rather than by the retired legend herself. (outkick.com)
