Caitlin Clark Has ‘Butterflies’ Ahead of Team USA Debut in Puerto Rico

Caitlin Clark and her USA Basketball teammates have already reached Puerto Rico, two days before they take on Senegal at the Puerto Rico Coliseum.

The Indiana Fever superstar has played for the red, white, and blue before, but not in the senior squad. In this iteration of Team USA, the point guard will get to play alongside FIBA World Cup and Paris Olympics veterans.

On top of that, fellow Fever teammate Aliyah Boston will not be playing after suffering an injury in the second season of Unrivaled. Even Sonia Citron, with whom Clark played in the 2021 Under-19 World Cup, is out injured.

That leaves Paige Bueckers and Eastern Conference rival Rhyne Howard as the only current Team USA members with whom the 24-year-old has played before. But that was seven years ago, and point guard was not as dominant as she was later at Iowa and in the WNBA.

I really don’t think it’s necessarily, maybe nerves to a certain extent. Probably like butterflies. This is a super cool opportunity… I haven’t played basketball in 8 months either, so getting to do it at this level for my first time back there’s no better way to get tossed out into the fire and figure it out.

Caitlin says she has “butterflies”

“There’s a level of I don’t wanna say nerves but excitement and joy. I haven’t played basketball in 8 months either so getting to do it at this level for my first time back there’s no better way get tossed out into the fire and figure it out.” pic.twitter.com/xxA3zDkkm9

— correlation (@nosyone4) March 9, 2026

This was the Iowa native’s response when asked if she was nervous about her senior national team debut. Knowing she is being tasked to be USA Basketball’s floor general for the future, Caitlin Clark is excited about what is in store.

Caitlin Clark hopes her conditioning is on point at Puerto Rico

Caitlin Clark and her USA Basketball teammates will play five games in seven days. After her senior debut against Senegal, the point guard and her national teammates will face hosts Puerto Rico the very next day.

After a day’s break, the Americans will face Italy and New Zealand in less than 21 hours of playing each other. Then, they have a two-day break before battling Spain in their final game.

I put myself in the best possible shape I could be in at this point. Sometimes the first game is the hardest.

Caitlin Clark said

This was the Fever star’s response when asked how she would cope with the packed schedule. Clark admitted that since she has not played basketball in eight months, it might take a short time to get into rhythm. However, she is hopeful that after the first game, she will be at ease.

“I Put Myself In The Best Possible Shape I Could Be In”

Don’t Have Any Unrealistic Expectations For Caitlin It’s Been 8 MONTHS.. Let Her Work Back Into Rhythm pic.twitter.com/Q5NWI5PvTq

— VENOM 😈 (@BlameVenom) March 9, 2026

Team USA has already qualified for the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Therefore, they might take it easy, especially when their goal is to get the new generation of players, including Caitlin Clark, to get a feel for international competition and play with each other.

Caitlin Clark could cement point guard role with USA Basketball

Caitlin Clark is part of the golden generation of young basketball prospects coming through college. Along with her, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Kiki Iriafen are in Puerto Rico.

Add Sonia Citron, Aliyah Boston, Cameron Brink, and Rickea Jackson, who should be on the plane with them in September, and it is clear that Clark will be the de facto point guard of the USA Basketball women’s program.

However, there are a plethora of dynamic floor generals coming through college, with some as early as this WNBA season. With these tournaments being seen as a building block for the Los Angeles Olympics, which will be held in 2028, it seems USA Basketball has a vision in place.

Sure, they will still have some of the veterans who will have guaranteed spots. But for America to continue its dominance, the likes of Caitlin Clark and her fellow golden-generation girls have to cement their spots early. Most importantly, for the Fever guard, the point guard position is hers for the taking.

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