Team USA Debuts Clark, Bueckers in 110-46 Win

The future of American women's basketball took center stage in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, and it looked pretty spectacular.

Six players wore Team USA jerseys for the first time as the national team cruised past Senegal 110-46 in FIBA World Cup qualifying action. Among the newcomers were Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, the last two WNBA number one draft picks, plus Angel Reese, the 2024 seventh overall selection.

Clark wasted no time making her mark, finishing with 17 points and 12 assists in just 19 minutes. Bueckers contributed nine points, four rebounds and three assists, while Reese earned a starting spot and grabbed eight rebounds.

The moment that gave fans a glimpse of the future came in the third quarter. Clark, Reese and Bueckers shared the court together for the first time, three young stars who've already transformed the WNBA now wearing the same uniform.

Coach Kara Lawson, leading her first game after taking over in September 2025, emphasized that her starting lineup and rotation remain flexible. She used the depth to Team USA's advantage, subbing in all five bench players midway through the first quarter to create what she called an "offensive spark."

The Bright Side

The chemistry questions that typically plague national teams might not be an issue for this group. Eleven of the twelve players on the Puerto Rico roster had just finished competing at Unrivaled, the new three-on-three league. Whether they were teammates or opponents there, that time together is already paying dividends.

Team USA recorded 28 assists on 34 field goals, showing the kind of unselfish play that wins championships. The players committed just 13 turnovers against Senegal, impressive for a group's first game together under a new coaching system.

Kelsey Plum, a returning Olympic gold medalist, noted that the team isn't focused on scoreboards during these qualifiers. With the U.S. already qualified for September's World Cup in Germany, these games are about building connections and mastering Lawson's style.

"Any time you get to put this jersey on, it's a little different," Clark said after the game, capturing the pride her teammates clearly shared.

The United States has four more games in Puerto Rico to continue developing this exciting roster. If Wednesday's debut was any indication, the next generation of Team USA is ready to carry the torch.