Caitlin Clark Uses Her Toes to Restore Team USA Vibes Following Italy Scare

This game against the Italians was, without a doubt, the worst performance Caitlin Clark and her USA Basketball teammates put together while wearing the red, white, and blue.

They shot a miserable 8.3% from the three-point line and just 34.1% from the field. They managed to secure 42 rebounds, which, shockingly, was one less than the Italians.

The latter statistic looks even more appalling when the Americans managed to outrebound the much taller Chinese national team in their World Cup opening win.

In that game, Clark registered a new Team USA record of 11 assists. In this game against Italy, the entire team managed to register only that many. When adding the poorest offensive performance in nearly three decades, it goes to show how poorly they played.

No wonder head coach Kara Lawson was livid at her players, making it clear that they are lucky this turned out to be a win and not an embarrassing loss for the first time in 20 years.

The team needs to dig deep and ensure that this does not repeat. With France, Belgium, Australia, and others waiting to dethrone Team USA, the team needs to get on the same page.

Sure, that will start with work in practice. But Caitlin Clark decided to bring back the vibes that made their game against China an enjoyable affair. A video clip from the locker room after Lawson’s speech showed Jackie Young, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese laughing at the Indiana Fever superstar.

pic.twitter.com/TtoGuPr6wo

— Shabazz (@shabazzcaseshow) September 6, 2026

It turns out it was because they noticed how the point guard was curling her toes to avoid it being captured on camera. Clark has, in the past, trolled others for their toes, and she probably knew a video would make her the next target.

Caitlin Clark and USA Basketball will need the vibes to be back when facing Czechia

If anything, this toe method was working. Not only were those close to Caitlin Clark laughing about it, but even longtime rival Angel Reese, who is often painted as someone who ‘hates’ the Iowa native, was in the same mood.

USA Basketball needs that mood to continue when they face Czechia in their final group D game. The European nation might not have a team that could strike fear in the Americans, but after what Italy managed to do, anything is possible.

Apart from Cecilia Zandalasini, Italy does not have another player who plays significant minutes in the WNBA. For them to manhandle Team USA in this manner was not only a wake-up call, but also a reminder that nothing should be taken for granted.

With the likes of France, Belgium, and others waiting to use the tricks the Italians showed in this game, Caitlin Clark and her teammates will have to ensure that they are in sync with their goal.

Maybe changing the tense mood with a joke on herself was the way the Hawkeyes’ great managed to break the ice. This should help them continue to build the vibes in practice so that they can get back to what has made this program unbeatable.

Nike promotes Caitlin Clark’s upcoming signature shoe at World Cup

While Caitlin Clark is busy focusing on helping Team USA clinch gold, her signature shoe, the Caitlin 1, is already capturing the attention of fans in Berlin, Germany.

Nike set up an event to showcase her yet-to-be-released shoe in the city, knowing basketball fans from across the globe are present. The 24-year-old might be taking off on a global tour after the WNBA season is over, but the company felt that this was an opportunity they should not miss.

CC1 takeover in Berlin 🔥🔥🔥🔥😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/8PgxHbwGBV

— Steffffff (@Stephx4t) September 5, 2026

The sportswear giant brought in fans and invited influencers to this event. Since the shoe is three weeks away from a public release, fans at the World Cup will already get a feel for how good Caitlin Clark’s first signature shoe will be.

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