Caitlin Clark returned to the court after 239 days, and she did not disappoint. In her debut with the senior national team, she stepped into a new playmaking role and immediately drew high praise from Team USA's head coach.

Caitlin Clark returned in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifiers game, where Team USA dominated Senegal. Helping her team win 110–46 on Wednesday in Puerto Rico, Clark looked like her usual self.

Even with a veteran-heavy roster featuring stars like "Point Gawd," Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, Team USA head coach Kara Lawson spoke about the debutant.

“I thought Caitlin’s playmaking ability really got us going. We found a nice rhythm in the second quarter and scored a lot of points,” Lawson said during the postgame press conference, about Clark, who made her debut alongside fellow first-timers Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Kiki Iriafen on the international stage.

While Chelsea Gray shifted to a scoring role, Caitlin Clark took charge of the offense and directed Team USA's playmaking.

Clark checked in with 5:27 left in the first quarter of Team USA’s game against Team Senegal, marking her senior national team debut and her first competitive action in 239 days.

Her debut stood out even more because she recorded 12 assists, the second-most by any player in the competition’s history, while also scoring 17 points and hitting four 3-pointers.

Still, if you ask Clark, she wasn’t expecting that much attention and understood where she stood heading into the game.

Team-Focused Caitlin Clark Gets the Job Done

Caitlin Clark made it clear she understands her role with the USA Women's National Basketball Team.

Speaking to ESPN after practice on Monday, Clark explained, “This is a different stage. You’re not going to come out here and be the star player. That’s not how it’s going to be for USA Basketball.”

Clark admitted she feels a mix of excitement and joy, rather than nerves, heading into the tournament. At the same time, the 24-year-old said she has been feeling good during practices.

“I felt really good through practice. So more than anything, just really excited, but I know the day of the game, I’m going to be hyped up and probably a little anxious, but in a good way,” she added.

Clark's performance proved she remains at the top of her game. Up next, Caitlin Clark and the USA Women's National Basketball Team return to action Thursday against host Puerto Rico Women's National Basketball Team, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET on truTV and HBO Max.

So, do you think Caitlin Clark thriving as a playmaker changes how the USA Women's National Basketball Team should use her going forward?

You can visit She Got Game for more updates.

Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi