Team USA benches Caitlin Clark for FIBA World Cup opener against China
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 1:04 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Team USA opened its 2026 FIBA World Cup campaign on Friday in Berlin with a game against China. The starting lineup announced by the team included Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever guard who ranks among the WNBA leaders in points and assists, began the contest as a reserve player. This decision drew criticism from fans on social media who questioned the exclusion of the league's top statistical performers. The five selected starters are the only members of the current roster who previously competed in the Olympic Games. The organization previously omitted Clark from its 2026 Olympic roster before she eventually secured a spot on the national team in 2025.
- •Team USA faced China in Berlin for its 2026 FIBA World Cup opener on Friday.
- •Caitlin Clark started on the bench for the national team.
- •The starting five consisted of returning Olympic participants Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young.
- •Kelsey Mitchell was also left off the starting lineup for the tournament opener.
- •Public criticism followed the announcement regarding the exclusion of top WNBA statistical leaders.
- 1:04 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Spectacularly stupid’: Team USA sparks outrage after putting Caitlin Clark on the bench
"The United States kicked off its journey through the 2026 FIBA World Cup on Friday morning, facing China in Berlin. Although the roster is packed with some of the WNBA’s biggest stars, one notable name was absent from the starting five: Caitlin Clark. Before Friday’s matchup against China, Team USA released a graphic revealing its…
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