INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 18: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 reaches out to her team mates in the second half of play during a WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever on July 18, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire WNBA: JUL 18 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon071826035
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 18: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 reaches out to her team mates in the second half of play during a WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever on July 18, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire WNBA: JUL 18 New York Liberty at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon071826035
While Team USA gears up for a FIBA 2026 semifinal meeting with Spain, Portland Fire star and Spain’s center Megan DiLeo got real about facing Caitlin Clark.
“She's just a great player. It doesn't really matter when she goes into a game; she's going to make an impact,” DiLeo said, per an X clip posted by OutKick on September 11, 2026. “We just got to be ready for her and for the rest of the roster.”
It may seem like Spain will have an advantage, given that USA’s HC Kara Lawson is starting veterans like Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, etc., instead of Clark and the young group.
USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
However, DiLeo isn’t unknown to the player’s impact, who is leading the WNBA in assists (8.4) and is third in scoring (22.5). In the FIBA campaign, Clark is averaging below her WNBA standards: 8.5 points, 7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds across four games.
But her playmaking, facilitating, and fast-paced offense can spin the game no matter when she comes off the bench. Her 11 assists vs. China, 7 vs. Czechia, and 9 vs. Hungary proved that already. She’s also averaging 21.5 minutes.
And DiLeo knew it’s not just Clark Spain has to worry about.
Caitlin Clark is not the only obstacle for Spain
While veterans’ presence has been undeniable on the court, the young crew of Team USA, consisting of Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Aliyah Boston, anchored by Clark, has been lethal as well.
Bueckers and Reese lead in blocks (1.0 each). Howard leads in steals (2.3); Reese leads in rebounding (6.0), next to Stewart (7.0). Meanwhile, Stewart has the team-high efficiency (15.8), and Young tops in scoring (11.0). So, Clark is not the only obstacle for Spain.
“They're talented. They're deep. It doesn't really matter who comes in,” DiLeo added to the same X clip. “We have to be at our top defensively and offensively. We want to focus on ourselves first, on what we need to do in order to win and to sustain runs. Obviously, we're excited.”
“I'm just excited to see her (Clark) tomorrow,” she concluded.
All eyes will be on Lawson’s lineup planning for tomorrow and how Clark utilizes whatever minutes she can get against Spain.
Written by
Deblina Roy