Caitlin Clark posts double-double as Team USA opens FIBA Women's World Cup with blowout win over China
Caitlin Clark wasted no time reminding the basketball world why she's one of the most anticipated international debuts in recent memory, leading Team USA to a 94-61 rout of China in FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup group play Friday in Berlin.
Clark, the WNBA's reigning Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever, came off the bench in her first senior international appearance but ended up logging a team-high 25 minutes. She delivered a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists, knocking down four of her nine shots, including three from beyond the arc.
She wasn't alone in making an instant impact. Rhyne Howard, also a reserve, matched Clark's 14-point output, draining all four of her three-point attempts across 18 minutes of work. Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings guard playing in her own senior Team USA debut, added 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes, along with four assists. She likely would have scored more had she not been hit with two early fouls under FIBA's tighter five-foul disqualification rule.
Jackie Young provided a spark in the starting lineup, pouring in 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go with three rebounds and three assists. Head coach Kara Lawson made sure the rotation was a true team effort, getting every rostered player onto the floor.
Defensively, the Americans were just as dominant. Team USA racked up nine steals and six blocks while holding China to 32 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent from three-point range. Angel Reese, another reserve, led the team with nine rebounds, with Breanna Stewart grabbing seven to go with her seven points and Napheesa Collier pulling down six boards.
China's interior size, featuring 6-foot-11 Han Xu and 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu, was a focal point heading into the matchup, but the American frontcourt more than held its own. Team USA controlled the glass 47-41 and shot a sharp 45 percent from the floor overall.
The victory was a measure of revenge and reinforcement, as the same China squad faced the United States in the 2022 World Cup gold-medal game, a contest Team USA also won.
Up next for the Americans is a Sunday afternoon matchup with Italy, scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET, as they look to keep rolling through group play.
