Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese aren't starting at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. But, three games into the international tournament in Berlin, that hasn't slowed any of them down.
Their combined bench production has kept pace with Team USA's first unit throughout Group D play, giving Kara Lawson's side the kind of depth most teams in the tournament just can't match.
Caitlin Clark Leads Team USA in Assists at the FIBA World Cup
Clark has been the most disruptive of the three.
She's averaging 6.3 assists per game with a team-best +58 plus-minus. Those marks dwarf starter Chelsea Gray's 3.7 points and one assist per contest.
Bueckers has been just as sharp, converting 59.1% of her shots for the highest clip on the roster. She also paces the group with 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Reese, for her part, sits second in total rebounds while hitting 57.1% from the floor.
Factor in the inexperience, and the output looks even better.
USA Basketball's Young Squad Earns Quarterfinals Run
About half the FIBA World Cup roster is suiting up for its first senior international tournament. But that youth and inexperience hasn't hurt USA Basketball. In fact, because the coaching staff can go deep into rotations without losing intensity, Team USA's young bench has become its best weapon.
The squad's next game will be a quarterfinal matchup against Hungary on Thursday at 5:30 AM ET.
Fans can watch the elimination round play on HBO Max.
