Caitlin Clark Walking Out to Loud Cheers in Puerto Rico Surprises Former NBA Star: “CC Fever Is For Real”

Caitlin Clark will play five games in seven days in her senior debut for the USA Basketball women's national team.

Caitlin Clark Walking Out to Loud Cheers in Puerto Rico Surprises Former NBA Star: “CC Fever Is For Real”

Puerto Rican fans went to watch Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Caitlin Clark made her debut with the senior USA Basketball team at the FIBA regional qualifiers in Puerto Rico.
  • She received a loud ovation from fans when she entered the game, showcasing her significant global fan following.
  • Former NBA star Danilo Gallinari noted that "Caitlin Clark Fever is for real" after witnessing the crowd's reaction.

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is getting her first experience playing for the senior USA Basketball team at the FIBA regional qualifiers in Puerto Rico.

When she missed out on a chance to play for the national team at the Paris Olympics, many pointed out how the WNBA and Team USA did not capitalize on her massive fan following.

They felt that if they had taken her, even as a substitute, it would have helped women’s basketball grow exponentially. Now, finally, she is getting the exposure every fan and media member has been wanting her to have.

In her debut, Caitlin Clark surprised fans with an impressive double-double. Even though it was against lowly Senegal, everyone was excited that the point guard managed to be at ease despite not playing a game in eight months.

There were hardly any fans at that game. But that changed when Clark and her USA Basketball teammates came out of the tunnel for their next game against hosts Puerto Rico.

As soon as the Iowa native appeared in the flesh, fans inside the Puerto Rico Coliseum cheered loudly. That was even though Paige Bueckers and other Team USA stars were already on the court.

Then, if anyone had any doubts about Caitlin Clark‘s global fan following, the ovation she received when she entered the game for the first time surprised a former NBA star.

Caitlin Clark Fever is for real.

Danilo Gallinari remarked

That was former 14-year NBA veteran and Italian national team star Danilo Gallinari, who was pleasantly surprised by the reaction from fans when the Fever guard checked in.

Puerto Rico head coach’s daughter wanted to see Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers play

When Caitlin Clark came out of the tunnel to those cheers, Paige Bueckers turned around to talk to her college and WNBA rival and close friend. As they were chatting and joking, TNT Sports’ camera crew caught something.

Fans came out to watch Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark
Fans came out to watch Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark (Image via Justen Holstein/X)

They panned to the crowd of young girls wearing No. 22 Indiana Fever jerseys, calling their favorite basketball player to at least look at them and give them a wave.

Then, the camera crew also caught something interesting. Gerardo Batista, as the head coach of the Puerto Rican women’s national team, would be instructing his players to try to stop the likes of Clark and Paige Bueckers.

However, his young daughter was more excited about watching the WNBA’s most exciting duo play together at these qualifiers. If the duo plays as they are expected to, more and more fans could appear courtside for these games.

Caitlin Clark bursts open for a steal and an And-1 score

Those fans inside the Puerto Rico Coliseum probably expected Caitlin Clark to continue her impressive performances. But this game was different, as the hosts were prepared with a zone defense designed to prevent the point guard from playing to her usual strengths.

However, the difference in talent was too evident in the score as Team USA surged into a 43-19 lead over the hosts near the end of the second quarter. As the home team tried to reduce the deficit, they were trying to move the ball when the Fever guard jumped into the passing lane and stole the ball.

She had nothing but clear hardwood in front of her and raced ahead. As she reached the basket, a Puerto Rican player understood Clark would go up for a layup and jumped to try to block the shot.

Instead, her hand hit the WNBA superstar on her head. Despite that shot, the 24-year-old point guard managed to use her strength and balance to put enough elevation on the ball that it hit the backboard and went into the net. That ended up being an And-1 play.

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