Women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark is excited to make her U.S. national team senior-level debut next week when the Americans play in the FIBA World Cup qualifier in Puerto Rico.
It will be Clark’s first game play in some eight months, since a multitude of injuries derailed the 2024 WNBA rookie of the year’s second pro season with the Indiana Fever in July.
“It’ll probably take a me a second to knock a little bit of the rust off. I’ll probably be a little bit nervous, which I usually don’t get nervous but that probably comes from I haven’t really played basketball in a while,” Clark said Saturday in Miami at a USA Basketball training camp.
“I’m sure after the first minute of running around on the court, I’ll be just fine,” the former University of Iowa guard said. “But more than anything, just really excited. I know how much work and how much time I put in to make sure my body’s as healthy as it can be and to get back.”
It’s been quite a road back for Clark, who played in 13 games last season. She had groin injuries and then a bone bruise in her left ankle. She’s been in the gym getting ready, working with the Fever medical team and player developmental staff over the last few months.