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Anticipation is building as Caitlin Clark prepares for her first competitive action with the US women’s national team. The Indiana Fever star is expected to appear on the court in the FIBA World Cup qualifier next week in Puerto Rico.
A series of injuries sidelined Clark for most of the past eight months, limiting the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season.
Clark’s last WNBA appearance came in July. He said on Saturday he might have been a bit rusty and nervous in the qualifiers.
“It’s probably going to take me a while to kick the rust a little bit,” he said.
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Caitlin Clark during the United States women’s basketball training camp at Duke University Dec. 13, 2025, Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“Maybe I’ll be a little nervous, which, normally I’m not nervous, but that’s probably because I haven’t played basketball in a long time.”
But Clark predicted that any rust would be gone quickly.
“I’m sure after the first minute of running on the court, I’ll be fine. But most of all, I’m really happy. I know how much work and time I’ve put in to make sure my body is as healthy as it can be and I can come back.”
Clark’s injuries last year included a hip injury followed by an ankle injury. Fever’s medical staff is closely monitoring his recovery as he tries to get back on the court.
Cameron Brink (33) celebrates with Caitlin Clark (17) during the United States women’s basketball team’s training camp at Duke University Dec. 13, 2025, Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Clark suggested that the ordeal has strengthened his reliance on preparation and training.
“I’ve always been someone who’s just going to rely on my work. I feel like you’ve made me work harder,” said the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, talking about her injury.
“But that’s also probably the saddest part about it is that I felt like I spent a lot of time and energy last season, and, obviously, I only appeared in about 13 games.”
Clark did not compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he reflected on the experience of seeing Team USA jerseys as a child and how that moment helped shape his dream of one day wearing it.
Caitlin Clark during the United States women’s basketball training camp at Duke University Dec. 12, 2025, Durham, NC (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“My eyes were wide open. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world,” he said. “[To see] top national jerseys for elite men’s and women’s players. It’s a 15- or 16-year-old’s dream to do that one day.”
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With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just around the corner, Clark is focused on strong progress rather than looking too far ahead.
“There’s more to come,” he said. “Obviously that is my goal, the World Cup before that. I have a lot to learn.”
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Anticipation grows as Caitlin Clark’s Team USA debuts following a long injury layoff
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