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Anticipation is building as Caitlin Clark prepares for her first competition with the US Women’s National Team. The Indiana Fever star will be on the field in next week’s FIBA World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico.
A series of injuries sidelined Clark for much of the last eight months, limiting the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season.
Clark’s final WNBA appearance came in July. She said Saturday that she may be rusty and a little nervous for the qualifier.
“It’ll probably take me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off,” she said.
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Caitlin Clark during the USA Women’s Basketball Training Camp at Duke University on December 13, 2025 in Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“I probably get a little bit nervous, which I don’t usually get nervous, but that’s probably because I haven’t really played basketball in a while.”
But Clark expected any rust to wear off quickly.
“I’m sure after the first minute of running around the field, I’ll be fine. But more than anything, just really excited. I know how much work and how much time I’ve put into making sure my body is as healthy as it can be and to come back.”
Clark’s injury setbacks last year included a groin strain followed by a sprained ankle. The Fever’s medical staff closely monitored her recovery as she worked to return to the court.
Cameron Brink (33) celebrates with Caitlin Clark (17) during the USA Women’s Basketball team training camp at Duke University on December 13, 2025 in Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Clark suggested that adversity has only reinforced her reliance on preparation and discipline.
“I’ve always been someone who just wants to trust my work. I feel like it’s definitely made me work harder,” said the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, referring to her injury setback.
“But that’s probably also the part that stinks about it is that I felt like I spent so much time and so much energy going into last season and then obviously only appeared in about 13 games.”
Clark did not compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but she reflected on the experience of seeing Team USA jerseys as a teenager and how that moment helped shape her dream to one day wear one herself.
Caitlin Clark during USA Women’s Basketball Training Camp at Duke University on December 12, 2025 in Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“My eyes were so big. Thought it was the coolest thing in the world of all,” she said. “[To see] the senior national jerseys of great men’s and women’s players. It’s a 15- or 16-year-old’s dream to do that one day.”
With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Clark said she remains focused on steady progress rather than looking too far ahead.
“There’s a lot to get to that point,” she said. “Obviously that’s my goal, the World Cup before that. There’s a lot for me to learn.”
Anticipation is growing as Caitlin Clark’s Team USA debut approaches after a lengthy injury layoff
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