Reese, Clark Team Up for U.S. at World Cup
Reese, Clark Team Up for U.S. at World Cup
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Key Points
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Clark and Reese had previously played together on the 2024 WNBA All-Star team, which defeated the U.S. Olympic team.
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Their 2023 NCAA championship matchup ended with Reese’s LSU team defeating Clark’s Iowa team; Reese’s late-game ring-finger gesture became one of the defining images of their rivalry and fueled broader debate about the players.
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Clark has been averaging seven assists per game in the World Cup, including 14 points and 11 assists against China, nine points and seven assists against Czechia, and 10 points and nine assists against Hungary.
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A video of Clark and Reese sitting side by side on the Team USA bench during the Hungary game drew attention online, with one spectator captioning the unexpected scene “World peace!”
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Clark said she appreciates Reese’s competitiveness, desire to win and relentlessness, adding that it has been fun to play alongside her rather than against her.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, rivals since their epic 2023 NCAA championship game, are thriving together on Team USA at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. After the United States crushed Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals, both players dismissed reports of tension as false narratives, with Clark calling their shared experience "fun" and Reese emphasizing the team's growing chemistry Eldorado News.
The two young stars are coming off the bench behind a veteran-heavy roster but making major impacts. Clark is averaging seven assists per game as a primary playmaker, while Reese supplies energy and interior production. A viral moment of them sitting side by side on the bench during the Hungary game drew online attention, with one spectator captioning it "World peace!" Eldorado News.
From NCAA Rivals to World Cup Teammates
The 2023 NCAA championship saw Reese's LSU team defeat Clark's Iowa squad in a game that defined their rivalry. Reese's late-game ring-finger gesture became one of women's basketball's most memorable moments, fueling intense debate about both players Eldorado News. Many fans treated their success as mutually exclusive rather than complementary.
Now playing together for their country shifts everything. Clark praised Reese's competitiveness and relentlessness, saying it is "fun to play alongside her rather than against her" Eldorado News. The two already played together on the 2024 WNBA All-Star team, which defeated the U.S. Olympic squad.
Clark's Passing Game Orchestrates U.S. Offense
Clark has emerged as Team USA's primary playmaker off the bench. Against China, she recorded 14 points and 11 assists. In matches against Czechia and Hungary, she contributed nine points and seven assists, then 10 points and nine assists respectively Eldorado News. Her seven-assist-per-game average showcases her ability to distribute without scoring volume.
This role reveals a key truth about modern basketball: elite talent extends far beyond scoring. Clark's playmaking creates opportunities for her teammates while keeping defenses honest. Her consistent assist totals prove she remains a game-changing force even when her shot is not the focus Eldorado News.
Young Stars Build Bonds on the Bench
Reese, Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Aliyah Boston form a tight group of younger players supporting the veterans. Bueckers has been recognized as one of the tournament's best defensive players in her World Cup debut Athlon Sports. The four have bonded during practices and games, creating a unified front.
Reese emphasized that the team is "building chemistry, relying on one another and learning together" Eldorado News. The shared national-team experience gives these players repeated opportunities to develop trust before returning to opposing WNBA teams. Their chemistry now could pay dividends when the league season resumes.
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