Team USA successfully defeated their first FIBA World Cup opponent, the Chinese National Team, on Friday. The game highlighted the skills of the full American roster, and every single member of the team scored.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, who played against and alongside one another on the junior level USA Basketball circuit, each had 14 points in today's match (Clark also added on 11 assists). They both put in great individual performances, but it's their on-court chemistry that caught the eye of many fans (and probably even a few detractors, too).
Clark and Bueckers both also addressed the fact that they play together very well — something that their fans are noticing, and perhaps something we'll see in the WNBA one day down the road.
Clark told reporters on Thursday ahead of the game, "Yeah, I mean, obviously, it's really fun to play with Paige. I've grown up playing against and with her since a very young age, so [it's] a very fun experience to be here." She also praised Bueckers as "one of the best off-ball players in the league" and explained that the skill set Bueckers brings to the court is uncommon.
Bueckers similarly only had positive things to say. She noted, "Honestly, we have great on-court chemistry. It's kind of natural and organic. It has been a while since we played together, but it's almost like no time has passed." Bueckers also explained that when it comes to playing with Clark, her game shifts to being all about being a great wing and cutter, and to make sure the ball moves where it needs to.
Though the pair often spend their time on the court playing against one another these days, there's no telling what their futures in the WNBA could hold. If one team managed to lure both Clark and Bueckers in the same season, they'd be formidable indeed. At present, it appears that that kind of dream is years away. Clark and Bueckers are both still on their rookie contracts with the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings, and though they could be moved if they wanted to (as we saw this season when Angel Reese was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream), they both seem deeply committed to the teams they're on.
The offensive pairing of Clark and Bueckers is something that head coach Kara Lawson has already utilized to great effect in one game, and it's likely we'll see plenty of action from these two as they continue to share the floor this tournament.
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