Team USA has come under fire after their latest decision over WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark amid FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The Indiana Fever star made her highly anticipated return to the court earlier this week when she made an impressive debut for the USA during qualifying for the international tournament.
Despite not having played in eight months, the point guard impressed in the Americans’ first two games – wins against Senegal and Puerto Rico – tallying a combined 25 points and 14 assists.
However, both performances came off the bench and, despite her standout displays in the first two games, Clark failed to start once again when the USA faced Italy on Saturday.
Head coach Kara Lawson said after the opener against Senegal that she would be experimenting with her starting combinations throughout the tournament in order to assess the young talent on her roster.
However, fans were quick to notice that Clark had yet to feature in the starting five and they hit out at Team USA over the decision.
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has impressed for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers
Basketball fans have hit out at Team USA for not starting the Indiana Fever guard
‘Team USA women’s basketball stop being stupid… nobody wants to see y’all… showcase Caitlin Clark morons,’ one social media user wrote.
‘Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers HAVE to be the starting backcourt for Team USA,’ another posted. ‘Best guards on the team by a landslide. Ball movement is night and day. Don’t make it harder than it is, man.’
A third said: ‘Caitlin Clark should be starting for Team USA there’s no way she should still be coming off the bench.’
‘#USABWNT is so unserious not starting Caitlin Clark,’ claimed a fourth. ‘The stats of CAITLIN CLARK outshone all others tonight (had 5 assists, too) BUT Her minutes played is nowhere near what she deserves or what fans want. Frankly, as clearly best player, she should be captain & START the final games.’
‘USA basketball is ridiculous. You are intentionally leaving out your best player as a starter,’ shared another.
‘You guys are an absolute clown show,’ fumed another. ‘They won’t start Clark just because we want her to start. I’ve been watching the games. I usually don’t. But I like rooting for our country. You guys are making it hard.’
Despite not starting again, Clark still put up impressive numbers as the USA beat Italy 93-59 on Saturday. The WNBA phenom finished with 12 points and five assists in the win.
With the dominant victory, the USA moved to 3-0 for the tournament. Not that the record truly matters.
Clark tallied a combined 25 points and 14 assists through the first two games
The USA has already qualified for the World Cup, which will take place in September. Instead, the tournament is a chance for USA Basketball Managing Director Sue Bird and coach Lawson to evaluate their young talent while veterans such as A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu sit out qualifiers.
Clark’s sophomore WNBA campaign was cut short after just 13 games as she battled recurring soft-tissue injuries, including a right groin issue and a bone bruise that ultimately sidelined her.
Before her season ended prematurely, the 2024 Rookie of the Year was living up to the hype, averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and five rebounds per game.
Given her form for the USA, Clark is likely to bounce back to form on the WNBA stage in a similarly sensational fashion.
