At the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp held at Duke University from December 12-14, 2025, veteran guard **Kelsey Plum** repeatedly challenged Indiana Fever star **Caitlin Clark** on the court, highlighting the intense physicality of elite-level play.
Clark, making her senior national team camp debut after an injury-shortened 2025 WNBA season where she played just 13 games, faced tough defensive assignments against Olympic gold medalists like Plum. Viral clips from scrimmages showed Plum using spin moves and strong drives to score over Clark, knocking her off balance and drawing fouls. Reporters noted Clark yelling at referees in frustration, a sign of the competitive fire but also the adjustment needed.
Insiders described the matchups as “funny” yet telling, with Plum exploiting Clark’s defensive positioning—a known area for improvement. One observer said Clark was “still ramping up injury-wise,” yet her offensive sharpness remained, draining deep threes and facilitating plays.
The camp, coached by Duke’s Kara Lawson, blended veterans like Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young with newcomers including Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. Scout team players simulated FIBA-style physicality, preparing athletes for international competition.
While some fans trolled Clark online, calling it her getting “cooked,” others viewed it as a valuable “welcome to the pros” moment. Plum’s aggressive plays underscored a key lesson for rookies transitioning to higher levels: “You have to know how to adjust to the physicality.”
This experience bodes well for Clark’s growth ahead of the 2026 FIBA World Cup and beyond, bridging generations in USA Basketball.Kelsey Plum executes a spin move to score on Caitlin Clark during scrimmage at USA Basketball camp.
Plum muscles past Clark for a layup in intense Team USA action.
