Basketball sensation Caitlin Clark touched down in North Carolina today, her arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport sending waves of excitement through the women’s hoops world. The Indiana Fever guard, fresh off a season curtailed by a nagging groin injury, is primed for her senior Team USA debut at the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp, set to tip off December 12-14 at Duke University.
Clark, 23, stepped off the plane in signature style: oversized sunglasses, a sleek black tracksuit emblazoned with her No. 22, and a backpack slung over one shoulder. A small throng of fans and media awaited, chanting “Cait-lin! Cait-lin!” as she flashed her trademark grin. “It’s great to be back on the court with this group,” Clark said briefly to reporters, her voice carrying the quiet intensity of someone who’s spent months rehabbing. “Can’t wait to hoop with the best.”
The camp, hosted on the storied Cameron Indoor Stadium floor, marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. program. Clark joins 17 elite athletes, including Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, and UConn phenom Paige Bueckers. Ten participants, including Clark, are making their senior national team debuts—a blend of WNBA vets like Brittney Griner and Kelsey Plum with rising stars like JuJu Watkins, who’s rehabbing an ACL tear.
This isn’t just practice; it’s a proving ground for the 2026 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics squads. Clark’s inclusion, announced November 24, quelled earlier debates about her international fit after missing the 2024 Paris Games. Her 2025 WNBA rookie year dazzled despite limited play—averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists in 13 games—fueling the league’s attendance surge to 94%. Yet, a graphic oversight omitting her from promotional materials drew fan backlash, underscoring her massive draw.
Under new head coach Kara Lawson—Duke’s own Olympic gold medalist—the camp emphasizes chemistry and innovation. Assistants include Fever’s Stephanie White, Golden State Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase, and Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts. “Caitlin brings that spark,” Boston told the Post Moves podcast last week, recounting their text exchange: “See you soon!” Clark replied simply, “See you soon!”
Off the court, Clark’s off-field empire thrives. As the highest-paid female athlete in 2025 per Sportico, with endorsements topping $16 million, she’s opted out of offseason leagues like Unrivaled and Project B to focus on recovery. Fans speculate her No. 17 Team USA jersey—swapped from her usual 22—hints at a fresh chapter.
As drills begin tomorrow, all eyes are on Clark. Will her logo threes and no-look passes mesh with Griner’s post dominance? Or spark the next dynasty? One thing’s certain: women’s basketball’s brightest light has arrived, ready to shine. The global stage awaits.
