Caitlin Clark and her Team USA teammates got the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup underway on Friday morning when they defeated China.
Clark had an impressive FIBA debut, scoring 14 points and dishing out a game-high 11 assists. Afterward, the Indiana Fever star discussed taking on a player she had never seen anything like before.
Caitlin Clark Describes Facing China’s 7’4 Zhang Ziyu at the FIBA Women’s World Cup
Although Clark had a solid outing and Team USA cruised to an easy victory, there was one giant roadblock in their way – China’s massive center, Zhang Ziyu.
Team USA certainly didn’t look the part size-wise, taking on Ziyu, but they held their own. Ziyu had 13 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes, with nine of those points coming from the free throw line.
Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream and Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate, Aliyah Boston, often drew the assignment. Although both are good defenders and rebounders, Reese is still listed at just 6’4 while Boston stands at 6’5.
Following the game, Clark was asked about taking on a player like Ziyu.
“This was a different type of basketball game that I probably ever played in my entire life,” Clark responded. “I’ve never played against a woman of that size. She obviously presented some challenges for us, but you gotta give our post players a lot of credit. They really battled.”
Caitlin Clark on Zhang Ziyu, who stands at 7’3″:
“This was a different type of basketball game that I probably ever played in my entire life. I’ve never played against a woman of that size. She obviously presented some challenges for us, but you gotta give our post players a lot… https://t.co/bXA6pV83ZT
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 4, 2026
Clark gave a lot of credit to Team USA head coach Kara Lawson for the game plan she put together.
“Coach Kara really challenged them before the game to be physical, try to push them out of the paint,” Clark said. If she makes a couple, stay resilient, stay in it.”
Clark also singled out Boston, her Fever teammate. Although Boston had just 7 points and 2 rebounds in 15 minutes, Clark believes her defense of Ziyu played a key role in the victory.
“I thought Aliyah came in and gave us great minutes guarding her,” Clark explained. “I think especially in the second half we were able to get a couple of buckets in transition when she was in, trying to push the ball.”
These photos of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers with Zhang Ziyu 🤯#FIBAWWC | @FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/LrroJT97Pl
— FIBA Basketball (@FIBA) September 4, 2026
Overall, it was an impressive performance for Team USA, which featured the debut of the league’s next wave of stars, including Clark, Reese, and Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, among several others.
Clark, especially, earned plenty of praise.
Team USA will return to the court on Sunday when they take on Italy. Tip is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET and will air on TNT.
