Diana Taurasi has backed Caitlin Clark to carry forward her legacy with Team USA, praising the rising star for taking over her iconic jersey number.
The moment represents a symbolic passing of responsibility between two generations of American basketball.
It also highlights the expectations already surrounding Clark at the international level.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Taurasi praised Clark as she spoke about Caitlin Clark taking over the No. 12 jersey for Team USA.
"It's so cool to see Caitlin not only wear the USA jersey, but 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," Taurasi said.
She added: "And Caitlin will do that. She had great qualifiers down in Puerto Rico. It's just going to be fun to watch her play in the summer in Germany and then the Olympics."
The endorsement carries weight given Taurasi's history with the national team, where she established No. 12 as part of her identity.
It also reflects confidence in Clark's ability to transition that legacy into a new era.
Diana Taurasi also addressed whether she had any involvement in Caitlin Clark receiving the No. 12 jersey.
"No one better to wear the 12, and Caitlin's going to put some gold medals on that jersey. Once I'm out of things, I'm out.
"Maybe Sue Bird, you know, she's a little bit more calculated than people think. So maybe that was a Sue job. That wouldn't surprise me," Taurasi explained.
The response suggests Taurasi sees the transition as natural rather than something she directly influenced.
It also adds another layer to the story, pointing to how decisions around legacy numbers can happen behind the scenes.
For Clark, the focus now shifts to performance, with expectations already aligned with continued success on the international stage.
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