Caitlin Clark shines in USA basketball senior team debut

The 23-year-old guard scored 17 points and dished out 12 assists in Team USA's blowout win over Senegal.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese made their USA Basketball senior national team debuts on Wednesday, helping lead the Americans to a 110-46 victory over Senegal in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Clark finished with 17 points and 12 assists, while Bueckers had 9 points and 4 rebounds, and Reese tallied 6 points and 8 boards. The roster features a mix of veteran leaders and rising young stars, as the U.S. has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Why it matters

This game marked the first time Clark, Bueckers, and Reese have played together as teammates on the senior national team, after competing against each other in college. Their debut is an important step in the transition of the U.S. women's basketball program, as it looks to maintain its dominance on the global stage with a new generation of talent.

The details

Clark, Bueckers, and Reese were among a group of players making their first appearances for the senior national team, which is now being led by Sue Bird in her new role as managing director. The roster also features veteran stars like Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Kelsey Plum. While some notable players like Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart were absent due to various reasons, the young trio seized their opportunity to shine in the blowout win over Senegal.

  • The USA Basketball senior national team defeated Senegal 110-46 on March 11, 2026 in the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.
  • Sue Bird was tapped to be the first managing director of the U.S. women's national team in May.

The players

Caitlin Clark

A 23-year-old guard who scored 17 points and dished out 12 assists in her senior national team debut.

Paige Bueckers

A young guard who had 9 points and 4 rebounds in her first game with the senior national team.

Angel Reese

A forward who contributed 6 points and 8 rebounds in the team's blowout win over Senegal.

Sue Bird

The newly appointed first managing director of the U.S. women's national basketball team.

Chelsea Gray

A veteran leader on the senior national team roster.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have a great group. I keep joking, I've been doing this for like 20 years on napkins, so it was nice to actually have a real roster.”

— Sue Bird, Managing Director, U.S. Women's National Basketball Team

“This is obviously everybody's dream. You just stay humble and grounded while also using that as motivation to continue to want to get better [and] to continue to just build off of what the people who did before us built.”

— Caitlin Clark

“It's going to be really, really cool. So I'm really excited. Obviously 2028 is a far, long way [off], but just being able to have this moment right now, I think it's really important.”

— Angel Reese

What’s next

The U.S. team will continue its preparation for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, which it has already qualified for, by competing in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

The takeaway

The debut of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese on the senior U.S. national team signals an exciting new era for women's basketball, as this talented trio looks to carry on the program's legacy of dominance on the global stage.