Caitlin Clark mentioned carrying the USA jersey is “such an honor” after the U.S. beat France 97-79 in Berlin on Sunday. The win gave Group USA its fifth consecutive FIBA Ladies’s Basketball World Cup title.
The gold medal was Clark’s first with the senior nationwide workforce.
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“It is fairly unbelievable,” Clark mentioned in a postgame interview, based on Athlon Sports activities. “Clearly, anytime you get to put on the USA jersey, it is such an honor. You get to characterize so many individuals in our nation and clearly characterize USA basketball. So I am simply actually grateful.”
Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers all performed for the nationwide workforce for the primary time at this World Cup. The roster was the second-youngest the U.S. has despatched to the match.
“You get chills each time you lookup on the flag and listen to the nationwide anthem when you’ve a medal round your neck,” Clark continued. “Hopefully, there’s many extra sooner or later, however simply actually grateful for this group and USA Basketball for this chance.”
Clark Makes Affect in World Cup Last
The Indiana Fever guard scored 12 factors off the bench within the ultimate. She shot 4-of-5 from the sphere and added 3 assists in about 12 minutes.
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France led by as many as 14 factors within the first half. Clark’s 3-pointer simply earlier than the halftime buzzer reduce the deficit to 45-43. The U.S. then outscored France 30-12 within the third quarter.
Breanna Stewart completed with 22 factors and 10 rebounds and was named match MVP. She is the first participant to win the award twice. Jackie Younger added 18 factors, and Kahleah Copper scored 15.
Group USA Extends World Cup Run
Group USA completed the match 6-0. The People beat Italy by three factors in pool play and Spain by 10 within the semifinals.
The U.S. has now gained 36 consecutive World Cup video games. Its final loss got here towards Russia within the 2006 semifinals. The fifth straight title matched the Soviet Union, which gained 5 in a row from 1959 to 1975, for the longest streak in match historical past. It was the twelfth World Cup title total for the U.S.
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Earlier than Berlin, Clark was named MVP of the World Cup qualifying match in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She averaged 11.6 factors and a tournament-best 6.4 assists because the U.S. went 5-0.
After the ultimate, Clark additionally credited Stewart’s management. She additionally pushed again on a reporter’s query about Reese.
Clark Seems to be Forward to 2028 Olympics
Clark’s subsequent likelihood at gold with the nationwide workforce is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The Fever are 26-14 and fifth within the WNBA standings with 4 regular-season video games left. Indiana visits the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Friday, then hosts the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx. The Fever shut the common season Sept. 24 towards the Lynx at Goal Heart.
