SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Caitlin Clark made an instant impression on the senior international stage with USA after handing out 12 assists on opening night of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament.
The guard delivered against expectations in a 110-46 triumph against Senegal, racking up the second most dimes by a player in competition history, while also adding 17 points in an eye-catching debut.
When you're out there, just compete as hard as you can. You give everything you’ve got
Only chart-topper Siyu Wang of China has ever handed out more assists.
"I think I was just trying to get everybody else involved," explained Clark on the final buzzer.
"I know that's what I can kind of bring this team, you know, getting easy shots for everybody else. That's what I take a lot of pride in. I just want to make it easy for everybody else. And I know that's what Coach Kara wants too.
"So I just try to come in and play as fast as I can, play up-tempo. It's not like any of us are going to be playing 35 minutes. When you're out there, just compete as hard as you can. You give everything you’ve got.
"I think that was kind of my mentality coming in, and then honestly, people finished really well around the rim, and then, you know, we made quite a few shots from the front," added the guard.
Most individual assists in a single game in Qualifying Tournaments*
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent & Score | Date | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Siyu Wang | China | vs France 103-70 | February 13, 2022 | 15 |
2 | Caitlin Clark | USA | vs Senegal 110-46 | March 11, 2026 | 12 |
3 | Alexis Peterson | Germany | vs Korea 76-49 | March 11, 2026 | 10 |
- | Danbi Kim | Korea | vs Brazil 76-74 | February 12, 2022 | 10 |
*First introduction of the WWCQT in 2022
FIBA