Team USA absolutely kicked off their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup journey with a massive 94-61 victory over China in Berlin on Friday, but it was Caitlin Clark’s eye-opening performance and her post-game admission that has everyone talking. The Indiana Fever star dropped 14 points, dished out 11 assists, and snagged three rebounds in just 25 minutes on the court. What really made this game wild, though, wasn’t just the score, but the literal towering challenge she faced.
Facing a Literal Wall in the Paint
Clark came up against something she had genuinely never encountered in her entire career, from college to the WNBA to international play: China’s 7-foot-3 center, Zhang Ziyu. You read that right, 7-foot-3! After the game, Clark just had to put it out there, saying, “I’ve never played against a woman of that size.” That one line tells you everything about the extraordinary nature of that matchup. Zhang still made her presence felt in her own World Cup debut, scoring 13 points, grabbing six rebounds, and blocking two shots. She might have only taken four shots from the field, but she repeatedly made Team USA pay at the foul line, sinking nine of her ten attempts. That kind of size creates problems, big problems.
How Team USA Unlocked the Giant Problem
It wasn’t just about marveling at Zhang’s height, though. Coach Kara Lawson had a plan, and Clark broke it down. Lawson challenged Team USA’s post players, specifically crediting Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, to get physical and force Zhang farther away from the basket. The goal wasn’t to totally shut Zhang down. No way. It was about staying composed when she inevitably scored and making sure China couldn’t just dictate the game through their colossal center. And guess what? It worked. Team USA held China to a dismal 32 percent shooting, leading for over 38 minutes of the game. Our squad used their speed to create transition opportunities, especially when Zhang was lumbering around the court. That contrast, Zhang’s unmatched size against Team USA’s blistering pace, became the defining tactical battle of the night.
Clark was right at the heart of that strategy. She pushed the ball relentlessly, created open looks for her teammates, and finished with a mind-boggling 11 assists. Want to know the craziest part? She did all that without a single turnover. That makes her the first player since 1994 to record at least 10 assists with zero turnovers in a Women’s World Cup game, according to FIBA. That’s historic, folks. This opening game, even with its lopsided score, gave Team USA a valuable test. They showed everyone that their depth, athleticism, and insane ball movement can absolutely overcome a dramatic physical advantage. Clark’s focused response? It just screams how quickly she’s adjusting to international play.
Next up, Team USA is back in action on Sunday for more Group D play, facing Italy at 2:45 p.m. ET. You do not want to miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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