Caitlin Clark’s Fame Spreads Worldwide Despite Not Playing Internationally: “Been a Huge Help to Women’s Basketball”

The Indiana Fever have just one game left before they head into a nearly three-week-long break. Caitlin Clark, however, won’t get any rest, as she will travel to Germany to take part in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

The 24-year-old was chosen along with Fever teammate Aliyah Boston to be a part of the next generation of prospects who will eventually take over from the veteran group currently leading the team.

She could have been part of USA Basketball at the Paris Olympics, but the organization decided it was better to focus on continuity and veteran experience.

When that team was going through its group phase, a fan appeared courtside with a sign mocking them, claiming that Team USA without Clark was not going to beat his team.

That experience left the world with two realities the WNBA and USA Basketball must accept: Caitlin Clark is a global phenomenon, and Team USA needs a fresh injection of youth, creativity, and skills.

Now, as she is waiting to pack her bags, not only has her fame increased since her rookie season, but, as a future international rival revealed, she is already more famous than women’s basketball as a whole.

It’s not easy being her because she gets so much attention. Everyone in the audience wants her attention… She’s really been a huge help to women’s basketball… Because if I ask a friend of mine who doesn’t play basketball, ‘Who is Caitlin Clark?’ she knows who she is.

Francesco Pan told LaGiornataTipo

In this interview, the Italian national team forward said she understands how difficult it must be for Clark, but also praised the Fever superstar for elevating the game.

Italian head coach showers praise on Caitlin Clark

Apart from Francesco Pan, the Italian national team head coach was also asked for his opinion on facing USA Basketball, and particularly Caitlin Clark. To this, he replied:

From a technical point of view, I think Caitlin Clark is incredible. From an image standpoint, she makes this sport even more enjoyable because, besides her ability to score, she makes everything she does look beautiful.

Andrea Capobianco said

He praised not just the Iowa native from a basketball perspective, but also her fame. Moreover, he believes that it is the way she plays and scores, in particular, that makes the game look exciting.

When she came into the WNBA, all fans were talking about was her long-range shooting. But it seems the head coach of a national team also knows Caitlin Clark can be technically brilliant.

Her reputation on the floor has come a long way, as opponents would not respect the point guard to do anything else. It seems others are looking past the bias and know that if she can notch assist records and triple-doubles, she is more than just a fancy three-point shooter.

Italy will be wary of Caitlin Clark’s threat in the group stage

When Caitlin Clark and her USA Basketball team reach Berlin, Germany, their immediate focus will be to prepare for their group games. After opening their campaign against China, the Americans will then shift their attention to Italy.

The European nation may not have many star players, but their heart has never stopped them from achieving success. However, based on what their head coach and players said in that interview, it seems they know even the strongest heart will not be enough to beat Team USA.

The latter will be looking to sweep their group, so that they can get rest before taking on their quarterfinal challenger. USA Basketball’s primary focus will be to find their rhythm before things get tough in the semifinals and finals.

After the way France nearly upset the Americans at Paris, they better be playing at their best. Bringing in Caitlin Clark to stretch the field would be a nice way to counter the physicality the French bring.

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