Caitlin Clark benched for Team USA's World Cup opener against China

Caitlin Clark was not in the starting lineup for the United States women's basketball team in their FIBA World Cup opener against China, sparking widespread discussion and reaction from fans and former players.

3 Sept, 20:21 — 4 Sept, 12:56

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Why this matters

The 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin marks a high-profile return to European soil for the tournament, drawing intense scrutiny to the United States' opening matchup against China. Caitlin Clark's transition from a historic WNBA rookie campaign to the international stage represents a defining moment for American basketball, as she seeks to validate her regular-season dominance on the world's biggest court. The game also highlights the evolving media landscape for women's sports, with broadcasters and streamers prioritizing accessible coverage to capture a rapidly expanding global audience.

Key entitiesCaitlin Clark Team USA Women’s Basketball China National Team FIBA Berlin WNBA

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Fox NewsMixed45m ago

Caitlin Clark not in Team USA's starting 5 for FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup opener vs China

Caitlin Clark began the FIBA Women's World Cup coming off the bench for Team USA, as Kara Lawson went with two veterans options, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, instead.

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YahooMostly Factual1h ago