COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - Caitlin Clark has already made a splash just a handful of games into her senior USA career and wasted no time in extending the legacy of the famous number 12 vest previously donned by the one and only Diana Taurasi.
I spent two decades wearing that jersey and that number and I couldn't think of anyone better to take it and put it on and just have an amazing career. Caitlin will do that.
Lighting it up on her debut at the recent FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Clark was crowned TISSOT MVP.
And, that was the first and immediate sign that she could follow in the footsteps of the storied former wearer of the number.
Indeed Taurasi herself has endorsed Clark picking up 'her' vest and has insisted that she is also destined to post a sparkling career on the international stage.
Speaking to hoops journalist Grant Young on X, the record six-time Olympic gold medalist insisted: "It's so cool, to not only see Caitlin wear the USA jersey, but also the number 12."
"I spent two decades wearing that jersey and that number and I couldn't think of anyone better to take it and put it on and just have an amazing career. Caitlin will do that. "She had a great Qualifiers in Puerto Rico and it's just going to be fun to watch her play this summer in Germany and in the Olympics," continued Taurasi.
"There's nobody better to wear the 12 and Caitlin's going to put some gold medals on that jersey, I know it."
Clark and her USA teammates will soon find out who stands in their way of another title.
The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 draw will take place at Kraftwerk Berlin on April 21 alongside the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony.
That will include Taurasi's famous backcourt partner and current Managing Director of USA Women's National Team, Sue Bird.
FIBA