Caitlin Clark set for Team USA debut after injury setback

Expectations are rising as Caitlin Clark prepares for her first competitive action with the U.S. women’s national team. The Indiana Fever star will be on the field next week in the FIBA ​​World Cup qualifiers in Puerto Rico.

A series of injuries sidelined Clark for much of the last eight months and limited her position as the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season.

Clark’s last WNBA game was in July. He said he might be rusty on Saturday and a little nervous for the playoffs.

“It’ll probably take me a second to clear some of the rust,” he said.

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“I’ll probably be a little nervous, and that’s because I’m not usually nervous, but that’s probably because I haven’t played basketball in a while.”

But Clark predicted any rust would erode quickly.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine after the first minute of running around on the field. But most of all I’m really excited. I know how hard I’ve worked and how much time I’ve put in to get back and make sure my body is as healthy as it can be.”

Clark’s injuries last year included a groin strain followed by a bruised ankle. The Fever’s medical staff monitored his recovery closely as he attempted to return to the field.

Cameron Brink (33) celebrates with Caitlin Clark (17) during the United States women’s basketball team’s training camp at Duke University on December 13, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Clark suggested that adversity only strengthened his confidence in preparation and discipline.

“I’ve always been a person who just relies on my job. I feel like it’s definitely made me work harder,” the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year said, referring to her injuries.

“But that’s also probably the part that bothered me about it, I felt like I put a lot of time and energy into last season and then of course I only played in 13 games.”

Clark did not compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he reflected on his experience seeing Team USA jerseys in his youth and how that moment helped shape his dream of one day wearing his own jersey.

Caitlin Clark during the USA women’s basketball training camp at Duke University on December 12, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

“My eyes were so wide I thought it was the coolest thing in the world,” he said. “[To see] senior national jerseys of great men’s players and women’s players. “It’s a 15-16 year old kid’s dream to do this one day.”

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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 ahead.

“There’s a lot to go into getting to this point,” he said. “Obviously that’s my goal; the World Cup before that. I have a lot to learn.”

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Expectations mount as Caitlin Clark’s long-injured debut for the US team approaches

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