Caitlin Clark made her senior World Cup debut for Team USA in style, helping orchestrate a 94-61 win over China in Berlin on Friday.
Her impressive showing also caught the attention of tennis legend Chris Evert, who took to X to laud the 24-year-old guard’s performance on the international stage.
Chris Evert Praises Caitlin Clark After Record-Setting Team USA Debut in FIBA World Cup
Clark came off the bench in Team USA’s FIBA World Cup opener, an unusual sight for fans who are used to seeing the Indiana Fever guard start games. She entered with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter after head coach Kara Lawson chose veteran guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young to start the game.
But Clark wasted no time in using her usual speed and exceptional court vision to help Team USA build an early 13-point lead.
By the end of the first quarter, she had already made an impact with 4 assists.
But it was the second quarter that she upped her game. After crossing half-court, Clark pulled up from well beyond the three-point line and knocked down a deep logo three-pointer.
CAITLIN CLARK FROM DOWNTOWN BERLIN OH MY pic.twitter.com/mNbf7l0Bdl
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) September 4, 2026
Clark eventually finished the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and a game-high 11 assists in 25 minutes. She also had a team-best +30 plus-minus and did not turn the ball over, which was unprecedented given Clark’s usually high turnover rate.
Besides basketball fans, Evert, a former World No. 1 tennis player and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, shared a short message in appreciation of Clark’s performance.
“LOVE Caitlin Clark,” Evert wrote.
LOVE Caitlin….
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) September 4, 2026
The 11 assists were also a big deal, as Clark broke a USA Basketball record for assists in a player’s FIBA World Cup debut. Her 11 assists without a turnover also set a Team USA World Cup record.
Besides Clark, Team USA was buoyed by collective effort from the team. Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard also scored 14 points each, while Jackie Young added 12.
Angel Reese, meanwhile, had 9 rebounds as Team USA used its depth to steamroll China.
After the game, Clark shed light on the talented Team USA roster and said, “Playing around so many talented players. Obviously, our guards are incredible, and our post players too. But anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they’re never going to miss a shot. So that’s one of my goals when I come into the game, facilitate, play fast, set up my teammates, get into the paint, get some penetration.”
Cruising to a 33-point win and opening their title defense with a strong victory, Team USA will now turn its attention to the upcoming group-stage games against Italy and Czechia.
