After three victories in group stage play, Team USA is moving on to the FIBA Women’s World Cup knockout stage.
The Americans completed a Group D sweep with a 105-64 rout of Czechia in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, Sept. 7. The 41-point victory was the USA's 33rd consecutive World Cup win. With group play in the books, the United States will face Dorka Juhasz and Hungary in the quarterfinals on Thursday, Sept. 10 (5:30 a.m. ET, TNT/HBO Max).
Ahead of the team's next game, USA TODAY'S Studio IX is pondering three questions, including if Caitlin Clark, who leads the team in assists (6.3 per game) will be the starting point guard.
Here's three burning questions for Team USA and its World Cup roster:
Would Team USA coach Kara Lawson consider starting Caitlin Clark?
Chelsea Gray will likely got the nod as starting point
guard for Team USA because of her overall experience, particularly on the senior national team. However, her production as one of the first guards on the floor has been underwhelming. Through three games, Gray is averaging 3.6 points on 31% shooting and one assist in roughly 16 minutes of play. Admittedly, those numbers are jarring and are a drop from the 5.6 points and 4.8 assists per game she had during the FIBA Qualifying Tournament in March.
Caitlin Clark, who is typically brought in to relieve Gray and run the offense, is averaging eight points on 27.3% shooting and 6.3 assists per matchup. Clark opened with a 14-point, 11-assist double-double against China. However, she had an uncharacteristic shooting day against Italy on Sept. 6 amid team-wide offensive struggles. Clark didn't register a field goal.
With Gray struggling more than Clark, the question should be asked: Will coach Kara Lawson change up the starting lineup? It's hard to say. Here's why.
Starting Clark makes a ton of sense and would boost the starting unit. It's clear the ball and the offense move when she's on the floor. There's a definitive change in pace and tempo. But, here's where things get interesting. When the Italy game was tight at the end, Lawson leaned on her veteran starting lineup — including Gray.Gray ultimately drew a timely offensive charge with about three minutes remaining that changed the game's momentum. She also delivered the game-winning basket with just over a minute remaining to secure a 55-52 win.
This isn't to say Clark can't do the same. She has more than enough examples throughout her career. Still, Clark wasn't the only young player who didn't see time late. Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese also were not on the floor, which could signal that Lawson might not yet feel comfortable tinkering with starting and closing rotations beyond the veteran-heavy unit she has already deployed.
That said, Clark's time could be on the horizon if she continues to play well and elevate her teammates as the competition grows in the tournament.
Which Team USA players have been underrated at the World Cup?
If people haven't been paying attention to what Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers have been doing at the World Cup, now is the time. Reese and Bueckers have made the most of their minutes, especially defensively.
Reese has been garnering a lot of attention in the paint, and when she isn't finishing at the cup, she's drawing fouls, which has helped the United States keep its foot on the gas offensively. She has also been vocal on both ends of the floor, calling out plays as she sees them, which has led to momentum shifts. Reese has been exceptional defensively, causing disruption. She has four steals and two blocks through three matchups, plus multiple jump balls and deflections.
Bueckers has earned the name "Paige Blockers." The young guard had 14 points during the United States' opening matchup against China, all in the second half. She also had four assists and two steals. In her last two games, she has stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 8.5 points, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
What other World Cup teams should Team USA worry about?
The biggest threat to the United States is France and has been since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
History looks favorably upon the United States because it won an eighth straight gold medal. But it wasn't cake walk by any stretch. France was trading baskets with the U.S. in the waning moments of the game, setting up a wild finish. Forward Gabby Williams hit would-be 3-point shot with one second remaining to send the game to overtime but her foot was on the line, giving the United States a 67-66 win.
It's more than reasonable to think the French haven't forgotten about that moment and could use it as fuel at the World Cup. They have looked absolutely dominant in their three matchups, averaging more than 100 points of offense. Williams, Dominique Malonga and Marine Johannes have helped lead the charge. France has also been a nightmare defensively, causing 21 turnovers a game and holding teams to 34.1% shooting from the floor.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Caitlin Clark start at point guard in FIBA women's World Cup quarterfinals?
