U.S. Women’s Basketball Team Dominates in FIBA World Cup Opener

Caitlin Clark made an impactful entrance in her global championship debut, contributing 14 points and 11 assists as the U.S. women’s basketball team convincingly defeated China 94-61 in the FIBA World Cup held in Berlin. This event marks the largest international tournament ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Despite A’ja Wilson’s absence, the U.S. showcased its strength in a rematch against China, reflecting their previous victory in the 2022 World Cup championship with an 83-61 win. The team’s triumph extends their unbeaten streak, recording 67 consecutive wins in Olympic and World Cup matches since the 2006 Worlds semifinals against Russia. Additionally, they have maintained 31 consecutive victories exclusively in World Cup play.

Kara Lawson, leading her first global championship since taking over as head coach from Cheryl Reeve, preserved the U.S. tradition of leveraging experience.

The team featured 2024 Olympic gold medalists Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart as the starting lineup. Emerging talents such as Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese provided valuable contributions off the bench.

Clark expressed learning from seasoned players, stating, “Being surrounded by five people that have won a gold medal before at the highest level, you just try to follow their lead and take every bit of wisdom that they can give you.” Her performance was notable, achieving 11 assists, a record for any American woman in a FIBA World Cup game since Dawn Staley’s 12 assists in 1998. Teresa Edwards was the last U.S. player to achieve a double-double in a global championship, scoring 20 points and 15 assists against Australia during the 1996 Olympics.

Clark showcased her playmaking skill, stating, “Anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they’re never going to miss a shot.” Alongside Bueckers and Rhyne Howard, she scored a game-high of 14 points, contributing significantly during her 25-minute court time without turnovers.

Coach Lawson praised Clark’s performance, highlighting her ability to shift game tempo and enhance team dynamics.

All 12 players participated, each playing at least 10 minutes, compensating for the absence of Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Both players were sidelined due to health concerns, with Plum out for the remainder of the WNBA season due to a reported lower leg injury.

Lawson emphasized team focus on current members, “Both of them, obviously, been great players for us. I’ll miss being around them, but ultimately, we’ve kind of moved on.” She stressed the importance of building team chemistry and readiness to compete successfully in the tournament.

The U.S. will face Italy next on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET, followed by their final group match against Czechia on Monday at 2:45 p.m.

Potential challenges in the tournament are expected to arise during the knockout rounds, commencing with quarterfinals next Thursday. Historically, the U.S. faced a challenge at the 2024 Olympics against host France, narrowly clinching victory. In this World Cup, France has a notable presence, with eight WNBA players, ranking second in player representation after the U.S.