Caitlin Clark Makes History with Rare Stat in FIBA World Cup Debut as USA Beats China

It took Caitlin Clark just one FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup game to make American tournament history.

Clark recorded 11 assists in Friday's 94-61 group stage win over China to set the single-game tournament record for an American player, per FIBA.

The previous Team USA standard was set by Alyssa Thomas, who recorded nine assists in a 2022 World Cup matchup against Belgium.

"Playing around so many talented players— obviously, our guards are incredible, but our post players too— anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they're never going to miss a shot," Clark said after the win.

"So, that's one of my goals when I come into the game. Facilitate, play fast, set up my teammates."

Clark was three assists shy of breaking the single-game tournament record, which was set at 13 assists by Belgium's Julie Allemand in 2018.

Only seven other players have ever recorded an 11-assist game in the Women's World Cup.

The only other American to achieve the feat is Dawn Staley, who racked up 12 assists against Russia in 1998.

The most recent player before Clark was Belgium's Emma Meesseman, who posted 11 in a 2022 game against Puerto Rico.

Clark made an impact immediately after entering Friday's game, assisting on baskets from Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young within her first two minutes of play.

Her playmaking was part of the reason all 12 American players were able to contribute points in the victory.

Clark was named Player of the Game after contributing 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field and 3-for-7 shooting from deep. She also added three rebounds and committed no turnovers.

Clark is currently tied with the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas for the WNBA assists lead after averaging 8.4 per game this season for the Indiana Fever.

She previously led the WNBA with 8.4 assists per game as a rookie, and ranks first among the league's active players with 8.5 career assists per game.

Clark and Team USA will continue group phase action Sunday with a matchup against Italy as the World Cup continues in Berlin.

The Americans will wrap up group play Monday against Czechia. A first-place finish in the group would mean avoiding a qualification match and taking a direct trip to the quarterfinals.