Caitlin Clark sends grateful message to Team USA after World Cup gold

Caitlin Clark’s FIBA World Cup run with Team USA ended with a gold medal. It was the national team’s fifth consecutive world championship, with the Indiana Fever star guard playing a vital role. She thanked USA Basketball for choosing her to be part of the lineup.

Clark had an up-and-down World Cup which began with a historic double-double against China. She recorded the most assists by a USA player in the tournament in the last 28 years. However, she struggled mightily versus Italy, finishing with just one point on 0-of-6 shooting. The three-time WNBA All-Star followed it up with back-to-back solid games over Czechia and Hungary, registering nine and 10 points, respectively. Clark once again scored just one point in the semifinals matchup with Spain.

She shined in the finals on Sunday, contributing 12 points on 4-of-5 from the field and three assists. The Americans dominated France in the second half to pull away with a 97-79 victory.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates a 3-pointer.

Caitlin Clark posts thank you message on Instagram

Clark uploaded a carousel of photos from the World Cup on her Instagram account on Monday. It included action shots of her from the finals and posing with her gold medal. One snap featured her with her Indiana teammate, Aliyah Boston.

“WORLD CHAMP THANK YOU @usabasketball,” Clark wrote.

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A post shared by Caitlin Clark (@caitlinclark22)

The Fever will return to action on Friday when they visit the Toronto Tempo at Coca-Cola Coliseum. A pair of home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse follows as they take on the Washington Mystics and Minnesota Lynx. The team wraps up its regular season with another clash with the Lynx at Target Center on Sept. 24.

Indiana is currently fifth in the standings with a 26-14 record. It has secured a playoff berth but the final seedings have not been finalized. Clark and Co. can finish as high as No. 2 and as low as No. 8. The playoff rankings will all be determined in the final week of the regular season.