BERLIN (Germany) - There's not been a more eagerly anticipated FIBA Women's World Cup debut in history than the one Caitlin Clark is about to make for reigning champions USA in Berlin.
Already a superstar that transcends the global women's hoops landscape into mainstream society, the guard is followed by 4 million followers on Instagram alone.
What gets you up to play every single day is the amount of fans that you get to play in front of - and to help grow the game globally.
Proudly wearing a USA jersey at her first Women's World Cup will only brighten the glare of the spotlight even more, with Clark trying to take the unprecedented attention she receives firmly in her stride.
"It's crazy, and I think you know, you get used to it," she explained.
"I think at the same time, I almost think about it another way. Like, how lucky am I? This is pretty special and pretty cool, and there's so many people that would kill to be in this spot and have this type of opportunity."
"Especially to play for the USA team, let alone play in the WNBA and live out your dream every single day. So I try to look at, look at it the other way and think about how lucky I am and how grateful I am."
"Sure, there are moments where it's exhausting and it's a lot. There's a lot of attention, but that's what you sign up for and that's what you dream of.
"More than anything, what gets you up to play every single day is the amount of fans that you get to play in front of - and to help grow the game globally.
"So, I try to think about it in the most positive way I can," added Clark.
If attention is a big part of her career, then patience is another strong element. One of the reasons that the 24 year old is debuting in Berlin at her first major senior tournament is that she didn't quite squeeze onto the USA Olympic roster two years ago.
Sometimes this is an even harder competition than the Olympics... talent is growing and growing. These competitions are only getting harder to win.
Like with any elite player looking to shine on the biggest international stages, standing in line has not been easy. But the countdown is over and Clark is now focused on what lies ahead, having finally been given an opportunity.
"You know, you kinda just wait your turn and continue to put in the work," mused Clark. "There's so much talent in our country, and there's so many people that have been a part of these teams and have won gold medals, and obviously, we have that experience on this team as well.
"Obviously getting to watch the games in Paris, like just thinking about how such a cool opportunity that would be to hopefully one day maybe make the Olympic team.
"And I feel like obviously, we're at the halfway point of, you know, LA in '28."
"Even getting to play here in the World Cup, that's special within itself, too. Sometimes this is an even harder competition than the Olympics. I think one of the most fun parts is the international game and talent is growing and growing. These competitions are only getting harder to win.
"I think you just wait your turn, continue to put in the work, and your game kind of evolves as you get older," continued Clark.
"You know, since the last time I played USA Basketball, a lot has changed in my basketball career. It's been, like, what? Five years now. So I finished college and now in my third year in the WNBA and, I feel really confident in everything that I've been able to do."
Of course, Clark didn't waste any time in making a big impact when she stepped out for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico back in March.
I grew up watching the national team, whether that was the World Cup or the Olympics. And now getting to be here at the World Cup and making my debut is pretty cool.
She sparkled on debut and took away the TISSOT MVP award - rounding the circle from her youth days with USA, when she scooped the same individual honor at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.
Those memories and experiences of the FIBA journey are something that Clark still appreciates now.
She confirmed: "I played on three junior national teams and honestly, I think one of the coolest parts is a lot of the people that I get to play with now on the national team were on some of those teams -some of my first teams when I was 16 years old."
"So it's kinda fun that we get to live our, our dream together now here [in Berlin]. "I think one thing about USA Basketball that they do such a great job of is, you know, instilling their standards from a very young age. Our goal was always to win gold and, you know, we wanna do that at the highest level and do it consistently, and that's what they've done at every single level.
"I grew up watching the national team, whether that was the World Cup or the Olympics. And now getting to be here at the World Cup and making my debut is pretty cool."
Clark and USA will face China, Italy and Czechia in Group D.
FIBA