Caitlin Clark experienced a challenging 2025 season with the Indiana Fever, as injuries limited her time on the court despite another All-Star selection. She still managed to put up solid numbers, showcasing her scoring and playmaking ability, even though she appeared in only a handful of games. Interestingly, the Fever remained competitive in her absence, pushing deep into the playoffs before eventually falling short in the semifinals.
After recovering, Clark made a strong return during the offseason by stepping onto the international stage for her senior debut with Team USA. Competing at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament, she quickly made her presence felt. With consistent performances that highlighted her court vision and leadership, Clark guided the United States to an undefeated run and earned MVP honors for her efforts.
Long before her professional career, Clark built a remarkable legacy at the collegiate level with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Her iconic No. 22 jersey was eventually retired, and she carried that number into the WNBA. However, with Team USA, she had to switch things up due to roster constraints, leading her to wear a different number on the international stage.
Clark was assigned the No. 12 jersey, a number closely associated with Diana Taurasi, who wore it throughout her decorated international career. Taurasi, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, helped make that number iconic over two decades of representing Team USA. When asked about Clark taking on the number, Taurasi offered a candid and supportive response that quickly caught attention.
Speaking about the change, Taurasi expressed admiration for Clark, noting that she couldn’t imagine a better player to carry on the legacy of the No. 12 jersey. She praised Clark’s recent performances and predicted a bright future for her in international competition, suggesting that more success—and potentially gold medals—could be on the horizon.
