Caitlin Clark earns Diana Taurasi’s approval after wearing iconic No 12 for Team USA debut

Roughly 2 years aft Caitlin Clark’s notable omission from nan U.S. women’s nationalist hoops squad astatine nan Paris Olympics, nan Indiana Fever prima made her long-awaited Team USA debut while wearing an iconic jersey number.

The No. 12 jersey has agelong been associated pinch WNBA fable and six-time golden medalist Diana Taurasi’s storied Olympic runs. Clark precocious took nan level successful her first elder nationalist squad appearance, a move that drew praise from Taurasi.

"It's truthful cool to spot Caitlin not only deterioration nan USA jersey, but number 12. I spent 2 decades wearing that jersey and that number, and I couldn't deliberation of anyone amended to return it and put it connected and conscionable person an astonishing career," Taurasi told Sports Illustrated.

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Caitlin Clark (22) of nan Indiana Fever and Diana Taurasi (3) of nan Phoenix Mercury grin during nan crippled connected June 30, 2024, astatine Footprint Center successful Phoenix, Arizona. (Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

Clark scored 17 points and averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists during nan FIBA World Cup qualifier earlier this month, earning MVP honors.

Taurasi, a three-time FIBA women's golden medalist, praised Clark’s capacity and said she looks guardant to watching her this summertime arsenic she prepares for her first Olympic run.

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"And Caitlin will do that. She had a awesome qualifier down successful Puerto Rico. It’s conscionable going to beryllium nosy to watch her play successful nan summer, successful Germany, and past nan Olympics."

"No 1 amended to deterioration nan 12, and Caitlin’s going to put immoderate golden medals connected that jersey, you know," she added.

Caitlin Clark (12) of nan United States plays during nan crippled astatine nan 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament betwixt New Zealand and nan United States successful San Juan, Puerto Rico, connected March 15, 2026, astatine Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot. (Edgardo Medina/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Clark wore No. 22 during her first 2 WNBA seasons. She besides wore nan number during her emergence to stardom astatine Iowa.

While players often deterioration different jersey numbers successful world competition, Taurasi said she had nary domiciled successful Clark’s determination to deterioration No. 12, but joked that a acquainted fig whitethorn person had a manus successful it.

Caitlin Clark of nan U.S. prepares to return a free propulsion during nan Women's World Cup 2026 Qualifier betwixt Puerto Rico and USA astatine nan Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot connected March 12, 2026, successful San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Alexa Alejandro/FIBA via Getty Images)

"You know, erstwhile I’m retired of things, I’m out," Taurasi said. "Maybe Sue [Bird], you know, she’s a small spot much calculated than group think. So possibly that was a Sue job. That wouldn’t astonishment me."

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Before this month's FIBA action, a drawstring of injuries sidelined Clark for overmuch of nan past 8 months, limiting nan NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games successful her 2nd WNBA season.

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