Team USA coach makes revealing comment on life for Caitlin Clark and WNBA stars

Team USA head coach Kara Lawson has no concerns about outside distractions affecting her players at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, despite it coming amid one of the most chaotic WNBA seasons in history.

On Thursday, Team USA gets its tournament underway with a clash against China at the 12,000-capacity Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, the same opponent it defeated in the 2022 final to retain its title and become the four-time defending champion, following previous victories in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

As well as China, Lawson's side has also been placed in Group D alongside the Czech Republic and Italy, and with a roster featuring the likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Team USA is backed to extend its dominance to five consecutive tournaments.

However, a season full of drama, both on and off the court, in the WNBA in 2026 has raised questions about just how tight-knit this group will be, especially when it comes to Clark, who continues to be at the center of much debate in the league.

Whether that be intense physical play, media narratives, or broader cultural debates, the Indiana Fever star is often dragged into headlines one way or another, such as Sophie Cunningham's stance on transgender athletes competing in women's sports, simply because they compete on the same team.

Then, of course, there is her longstanding, heavily publicized, media-driven WNBA rivalry with Angel Reese, whom she must now learn to work with on the court if Team USA is to taste World Cup success once more this year.

Despite all this, Lawson insists that nothing from the current WNBA season has carried over into international camp, and even if certain headlines do emerge, her players have dealt with it long enough to know how to react.

"It hasn't been a topic for us. My interaction with Caitlin has been about getting to know her and what makes her comfortable and how she can play best for us," Lawson told the media of her conversations with Clark.

"And that's the same conversation I have with every player and then trying to help her understand from a point guard position what I want in actions and plays and focusing on the tournament.

"There's always a lot of distractions. These players have gotten used to that, especially this year in the WNBA. And a lot of that, most of that doesn't penetrate our team hotel and our team bubble. And we just focus on the games. And so, she's doing a great job of that.

"And I haven't noticed a different Caitlin this stretch, these couple of days we've been together, than I did in March or than I did in December. What she brings a consistent presence to practices and to games and is focused and wants to play well for the team."

Clark will make her senior debut for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, which runs from Sept. 4 to 13 in Berlin, Germany, and the Fever star insists she feels better than ever after her WNBA injury nightmare last season.

Over 36 games for Indiana, the 24-year-old has averaged 22.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, leading the league in assists per game and propelling her team into a strong playoff position.