Spain Star Gustafson Jokes with Former Iowa Teammate Clark After Loss to USA

Megan Gustafson and Caitlin Clark played together at the University of Iowa before going pro.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:50am

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In the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament, Caitlin Clark's Team USA defeated Megan Gustafson's Spain squad 84-70. After the game, Gustafson jokingly asked Clark "Go Hawks?" on social media, referencing their shared alma mater of the University of Iowa where both players had their jerseys retired.

Why it matters

The matchup between Clark and Gustafson, two former college teammates, adds an interesting personal storyline to the international competition. Their lighthearted exchange on social media shows the camaraderie between the two players despite being on opposing sides.

The details

Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, came off the bench for Team USA and recorded 7 points and a game-high 7 assists. Gustafson, who plays for the Las Vegas Aces, led Spain with a team-high 15 points and 3 rebounds. In a key play, Gustafson accidentally threw the ball right to Clark, who converted an easy layup to extend the USA's lead.

  • The USA defeated Spain 84-70 on March 18, 2026.
  • The 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament took place in March 2026.

The players

Caitlin Clark

An Indiana Fever guard who previously played college basketball at the University of Iowa, where she had her jersey retired.

Megan Gustafson

A Las Vegas Aces center who previously played college basketball at the University of Iowa, where she had her jersey retired, and is now a star for the Spanish national team.

Team USA

The United States women's national basketball team that competed in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.

Spain

The Spanish women's national basketball team that competed in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Go Hawks? 😅🖤💛”

— Megan Gustafson

What’s next

Clark and the Indiana Fever will continue preparing for the upcoming WNBA season, while Gustafson will look to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces as an unrestricted free agent.

The takeaway

The friendly exchange between former college teammates Caitlin Clark and Megan Gustafson shows the personal connections that can exist even in high-stakes international basketball competitions. Their shared history at the University of Iowa adds an extra layer of interest to their matchup on the global stage.