The US women's basketball team, a dominant force in international competition, is facing a crucial test in the FIBA Women's World Cup. The team has won eight consecutive Olympic gold medals and four consecutive World Cups, with a winning streak of 33 games in the World Cup and 61 games in the Olympics. They have never lost a quarterfinal game in the World Cup and will look to continue that trend on Thursday.
However, their biggest star, Caitlin Clark, has been playing a limited role so far in the tournament. Clark has come off the bench in all three group stage games, including a record-setting 14-point, 11-assist debut against China, but also a career-low game against Italy where she scored just one point and missed every field goal. She rebounded with nine points and seven assists in a blowout win against Czechia to close the group stage.
Clark's role will be under scrutiny in the knockout stage, particularly with tougher competition ahead. The team will face the winner of the Hungary-Japan game on Thursday, and if they advance, they will likely face a strong opponent in the semifinals, possibly Spain or Australia.
Clark's chemistry with her teammates has been on display, including a viral video of her and other players laughing and joking together in the locker room. However, the team's strategy of using Clark as a change-of-pace guard off the bench has not always yielded the desired results. Clark's performance will be closely watched, particularly if the US falls behind late in a game.
The US team has been relying on its veteran guards, but Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, all young stars, have also been contributing. Bueckers has been a consistent scorer, while Reese has been a force on the glass. The three players have a history of competing against each other in college, and their chemistry on the court will be crucial in the US's bid to defend its Olympic dynasty in 2028.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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