Caitlin Clark, the WNBA star, recently discussed her jersey number for Team USA, revealing an intriguing process that might surprise fans. Despite her preference for the iconic No. 22, which holds historical significance, Clark didn't get to choose her number. Instead, she was assigned a random one during her training camp for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Germany. But here's the twist: the number 17 might not be her final choice.
In an interview with NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast, Clark explained that the USA Basketball assigns jersey numbers differently. For international basketball, only numbers 4 to 15 are available, and players don't get to pick their own. This tradition dates back to the days when international rules mandated these numbers to facilitate communication between referees and teams from different linguistic backgrounds. While FIBA dropped this rule in 2014, the USA still adheres to it.
So, if Clark makes the final Team USA roster, she'll likely have to bid farewell to her beloved No. 22. This means fans might need to hold off on purchasing a No. 17 jersey just yet, as it could change again. This unique process adds an extra layer of intrigue to the journey of one of the most celebrated athletes in women's basketball.
