Team USA coach reveals what makes Caitlin Clark a World Cup game-changer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caitlin Clark will enter her first FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with enormous expectations. Team USA coach Kara Lawson sounds confident that the Indiana Fever star is prepared to meet them.
Lawson praised Clark before the Americans begin their title defense Friday against China in Berlin, highlighting the guard’s ability to affect a game in several different ways.
“Caitlin’s ready, Caitlin’s focused,” Lawson said. “She’s locked in and ready to go.”
Lawson then identified the qualities that could make Clark particularly dangerous on the international stage.
“She’s somebody that can change games with her ability to create pace, her ability to score, playmake,” Lawson said. “Her ability to get going and get hot and to stretch the floor, the spacing that she provides, the attention that she generally draws in the WNBA.”
That description may offer the clearest indication yet of how Team USA plans to use Clark.
Caitlin Clark gives Team USA a different weaponLawson has not publicly committed to specific roles or minutes.
Kara Lawson on Caitlin
— correlation (@nosyone4) September 1, 2026
“She’s locked in and ready to go. She’s somebody that can change games with her ability to create pace, her ability to score, playmake…to get hot to stretch the floor, the spacing that she provides, the attention that she draws.” pic.twitter.com/XLtJPLc0TV
Chelsea Gray brings far more senior national team experience and remains the logical candidate to begin games at point guard. Clark, however, does not have to start to become one of Team USA’s most important offensive weapons.
She can alter a defense simply by crossing half court.
Clark’s shooting range forces defenders to extend well beyond the 3-point line. That creates additional space for Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese to operate closer to the basket.
Clark can also accelerate the game after rebounds and turnovers. Team USA has more athleticism and depth than any other team in the tournament, making transition opportunities particularly valuable.
She arrived in Berlin in excellent form.
MORE: Kelsey Mitchell wins WNBA award over Caitlin Clark after historic August
Clark averaged 22.5 points, 8.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and one steal before the WNBA paused its season. She also became the first player in league history to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive games. Clark previously helped the United States finish 5-0 at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico and was named the event’s MVP.
Her senior World Cup debut still represents a different level of pressure. Clark is one of the most recognizable athletes in the tournament, and every lineup decision involving her will receive attention.
Lawson appears more interested in what that attention does to opposing defenses.
Clark can score, distribute and dictate pace. Even when she does not have the ball, her presence changes the geometry of the court.
That is what Lawson means by a game-changer.
Team USA opens against China at 8:15 a.m. ET on Friday. The Americans will also face Italy and Czechia during group play.
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