NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Anticipation builds as Caitlin Clark prepares for her first competitive action with the United States women’s national team. The Indiana Fever star is expected to take the field in next week’s FIBA World Cup qualifying game in Puerto Rico.
A series of injuries kept Clark sidelined for much of the past eight months, limiting the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer to 13 games in her second WNBA season.
Clark’s last WNBA appearance was in July. She said Saturday she might be rusty and slightly nervous for qualifying.
“It’ll probably take me a second to get some of the rust off,” she said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Caitlin Clark during USA women’s basketball training camp at Duke University on December 13, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“I’ll probably be a little nervous, which I don’t usually get nervous, but that’s probably because I haven’t really played basketball in a while.”
But Clark predicted any rust would disappear quickly.
“I’m sure after the first minute of running on the field everything will be fine. But more than anything, I’m just really excited. I know how much work and how much time I put in to make sure my body is as healthy as possible and to come back.”
Clark’s injury setbacks last year included a groin strain followed by a bruised ankle. The Fever’s medical staff closely monitored her recovery as she worked to return to court.
Cameron Brink (33) celebrates with Caitlin Clark (17) during the United States women’s basketball team training camp at Duke University on December 13, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Clark suggested that adversity only reinforced his reliance on preparation and discipline.
“I’ve always been a hard-working person. I feel like it’s definitely made me work harder,” the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year said, referring to her injury-related setbacks.
“But that’s probably also what’s a little bit bad is that I felt like I put in so much time and energy last season and obviously I 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’s jerseys as a teenager and how that moment helped shape her dream of one day wearing one herself.
Caitlin Clark during 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,” she said. “[To see] the senior national jerseys of the great men’s and women’s players. It’s a 15 or 16 year old’s dream to do that one day.”
As the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach, Clark said she remains focused on steady progress rather than looking too far ahead.
“There’s a lot to do to get to this point,” she said. “That’s obviously my goal, the World Cup before that. I have a lot to learn.”
Anticipation builds as Caitlin Clark’s debut with Team USA approaches after lengthy injury layoff
Related article
