December 13, 2025, Durham, North Carolina, USA: Caitlin Clark 17 looks for a pass during a scrimmage at the USA Basketball Women s national team, Nationalteam December Training Camp. Durham USA - ZUMAh304 20251213_zsp_h304_023 Copyright: xAlexxHallowayx
December 13, 2025, Durham, North Carolina, USA: Caitlin Clark 17 looks for a pass during a scrimmage at the USA Basketball Women s national team, Nationalteam December Training Camp. Durham USA - ZUMAh304 20251213_zsp_h304_023 Copyright: xAlexxHallowayx
Caitlin Clark's World Cup role bears little resemblance to her Fever identity. Clark has taken on the mantle of controlling the tempo of Team USA's game, and Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White is in awe.
Clark has been instrumental in every game so far in Team USA’s World Cup run. Rather than hitting her trademark three-pointers, the 24-year-old has been setting the tone in the big games.
“I mean, she is managing the game," White said. “She's doing a great job of understanding who she's on the floor with and how to get them the ball in the right situations and, you know, pushing pace for us.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 28: Head coach Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever watch on during a game against the Golden State Valkyries on May 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA MAY 28 Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260528205
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 28: Head coach Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever watch on during a game against the Golden State Valkyries on May 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA MAY 28 Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260528205
Averaging 7.0 assists through four games, Clark is all set to break Dawn Staley’s 1998 assist record of 5.8 per game, the most by a U.S. player at the World Cup or Championships.
While for the Fever, Clark has been instrumental in the offense, averaging 22.5 pts this season, in Berlin the prolific guard has been shooting only 32.3% from the field.
White pointed out that her new playmaking role will also reap benefits for her team in the WNBA.
“And I think that's an area that for her growth, you know, in our league is really important, and she's getting great experience and really, really flourishing in it here,” White added, as reported by IndyStar's Carter Jones.
On top of the new role, Clark has also adapted to the new bench role really well.
Adapting to a bench role and thriving
US head coach Kara Lawson has gone for experience in her starting lineup throughout the World Cup.
World Cup debutant Clark has been coming off the bench and has still found her groove in her new role.
“I maybe haven't come off the bench in a really long time in my career,” Clark said, as per the same IndyStar report. “But it becomes normal to you. You find your role, you find your rhythm..."
Veterans like Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray have been picked over Clark in the starting lineup. However, that has not stopped the Fever star from having a valuable impact.
In just 21.5 minutes per game, Clark has posted 8.5 points and a team-high 7.0 assists.
Lawson’s new role for the three-time WNBA All-Star will be pivotal and has worked out really well for the team.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar