Team USA's women's basketball squad narrowly escaped with a 55-52 victory over Italy on Sunday, but the win was overshadowed by a surprising decision late in the game: Caitlin Clark, the team's star guard, was glued to the bench.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, had a night to forget. She finished with just 1 point, 1 assist, and 2 turnovers, going 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. It was a stark contrast to the record-breaking FIBA debut that had fans buzzing earlier in the tournament.
As the game tightened in the fourth quarter, head coach made a bold call: Clark stayed on the bench while Jackie Young handled the backcourt and Angel Reese came in to provide defensive intensity and rebounding. The move paid off, but it didn't go unnoticed.
Social media erupted with reactions. One fan didn't mince words: "Here's the truth, Clark was the worst player to play from either team. Not gonna sugarcoat it, this is a trend she plays well when the game is easy and doesn't when it's a tough game. CC fans dubbed her the face of the league and belittled other players in the W. They gave her impossible expectations and they haven't been met."
Another echoed the sentiment: "Yes, she played poorly. She wasn't the only one but no excuses. The very things we were concerned about (team defense and shot selection) showed today."
But not everyone blamed Clark. Some pointed to the coaching staff. "She was good. Didn't get enough minutes and wasn't allowed to play her game," one fan argued. Another added, "Coach's fault. They didn't put her in the right positions."
The benching comes amid a backdrop of intense scrutiny on Clark, who has been hailed as a transformative figure for women's basketball. Her blessing from Diana Taurasi for the No. 12 jersey seemed to signal a passing of the torch, but performances like this raise questions about her readiness for the international stage.
Meanwhile, Angel Reese continues to prove she's more than just Clark's rival, stepping up when it mattered most. Her defensive presence in the final minutes was crucial to securing the win.
Team USA now faces a tougher road ahead, with teams like France looming. If Clark can't find her rhythm, the coaching staff may have to make some tough decisions. As one observer noted, "It'll be interesting to see how Team USA handles Clark moving forward, because right now, the team is playing at a level where they could easily be beat by some of the other top teams."
Clark's supporters remain optimistic, pointing to her resilience and ability to bounce back. But for now, the debate rages on: Is this a temporary slump or a sign of deeper issues? Only time will tell.
