Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, those college rivals who used to absolutely go at it, are now straight-up dominating as teammates for Team USA in Berlin, driving the squad to a perfect 3-0 in the group stage and straight into the World Cup quarterfinals. This unexpected powerhouse duo is proving that when it comes to winning gold, old rivalries take a back seat. Team USA is serious about bringing home their fifth consecutive gold medal, and this pairing is making it happen.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Young Stars Delivering
This isn’t just about good vibes either; their on-court chemistry is backed by some serious stats. Clark is dishing out 6.3 assists per game, leading Team USA and ranking third in the entire tournament. And Reese? She’s an absolute beast on the boards, leading the team with nine offensive rebounds. Plus, she’s second in both steals with four and blocks with three. Talk about all-around impact! These two, along with Paige Bueckers, are spearheading what’s known as the “Young and Turnt” group, and they even had a highlight-reel connection against Czechia. It’s clear this isn’t just a forced pairing; it’s a natural fit.
Fiery Competitors Chasing History
The biggest surprise might be how well Clark and Reese are meshing, especially given their history. Clark isn’t holding back on the praise either. She told the Associated Press, “We’re both fiery, fiery competitors and we want to win and it’s one of the things I really admire about [Reese’s] game. She’s competitive and she has a tremendous motor, like she has one of the best motors in the league. She works just as hard as anybody on the court. So, it’s been fun to be able to play with her.” That’s high praise from a rival-turned-teammate, and it speaks volumes about the drive on this squad. Team USA has an incredible legacy, having won every gold medal at the Olympics and World Cup since 2006, including an insane 69 consecutive wins at major international tournaments. That streak almost got busted in the group stage against Italy, with Team USA only escaping with a three-point win. Clark knows the stakes are high, saying, “You don’t want to be the team that everybody talks about because you didn’t win. You want to do what’s expected and that’s to win a gold medal.”
The job is far from done. Team USA faces Hungary in the quarterfinals on Thursday. A win there means a spot in the semifinals against the winner of Australia vs. Spain. There’s even a potential rematch with France in the final, a team Team USA beat by just one point in the 2024 Olympics gold medal game, notably without Clark. Clark is already looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping to make her debut on home soil with a World Cup gold medal already in her pocket. You know she wants it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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