Hannah Hidalgo calls Mikayla Blakes 'Caitlin-type of level' scorer FORT WORTH, Texas — Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo described Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes as a scorer operating at a level comparable to Caitlin Clark, highlighting Blakes’ ability to score from all areas of the court. Ahead of their matchup in the Fort Worth 1 Regional semifinal, Hidalgo emphasized Blakes’ versatility during a pregame news conference. “The way she’s able to put the ball in the hoop, it’s like Caitlin-type of level,” Hidalgo said. “She can score on all three levels, whether that’s getting all the way to the basket, her midrange, or her three. Of course, that’s always tough to guard.” Blakes, who leads the nation in scoring with an average of 27 points per game, is on track for SEC Player of the Year honors. Hidalgo, ranked third nationally in scoring at 25.2 points per game, is a dual threat for Notre Dame, leading the nation in steals and earning ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Both players have faced each other before, with Blakes recalling their high school rivalry in New Jersey, where Hidalgo’s team emerged victorious. “It was a show. Two dynamic guards. I had to guard her the whole game,” Hidalgo said. “I think just her ability to do what she does, the things that she brings to her team is so different.” The matchup between Blakes and Hidalgo is significant, as it marks their first college encounter. Despite media focus on their individual skills, both players downplayed the personal aspect. “It’s not about me versus Mikayla,” Hidalgo said. “It’s about Notre Dame versus Vanderbilt. It’s really just the way that we’re going to win the game tomorrow is by playing together like we’ve been doing the past couple of months.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #caitlin_clark #mikayla_blakes #fort_worth_1_regional
Caitlin Clark's Salary Under New WNBA CBA Set to Surge Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Indiana Fever, is poised to see a dramatic increase in her earnings under the newly negotiated WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The league’s updated salary structure, which includes provisions like the "EPIC" (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) clause, is designed to reward high-performing players with faster pathways to max and supermax contracts. The new CBA introduces a minimum salary of $270,000, a significant jump from the previous supermax of $249,000. For Clark, this means her earnings will rise substantially. As a rookie in 2024, she earned $76,535, and her 2025 salary was $78,066. Under the old system, she would have been due $85,973 for her third season in 2026 and would have remained under contract until 2027. Now, she is projected to make $530,000 in 2026, a figure highlighted by ESPN’s Alexa Phillippou as an example of the EPIC provision. Clark’s salary is expected to climb further. If she maintains her All-WNBA team status, her 2027 salary could reach a projected maximum of $1.3 million. By 2028, she may qualify for a $1.7 million supermax deal. These figures reflect the league’s new approach to compensating players based on performance and early success, with the EPIC clause allowing top performers to bypass traditional salary progression timelines. The WNBA’s new salary cap, tied to league revenue, also plays a role in shaping future earnings. Current projections suggest the top salary could rise to $2.4 million by 2032, driven by revenue growth. This shift aligns with players’ demands during CBA negotiations, which emphasized fair compensation based on league profitability. Beyond base salaries, Clark is eligible for performance-based bonuses.#espn #caitlin_clark #wnba #indiana_fever #epic_clause
USA Women Defeat Puerto Rico in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. women’s national team claimed its second victory in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, defeating host Puerto Rico 91-48. However, the win came with notable challenges, as the team struggled to maintain its usual rhythm. Caitlin Clark, who scored eight points, acknowledged the game’s uneven nature, calling it “a little clunky.” She noted that the team did not play to its full potential, despite a strong performance in their previous game against Senegal. The U.S. team’s performance against Puerto Rico contrasted sharply with their earlier win. On Wednesday, the squad displayed exceptional offensive flow and chemistry, appearing as if they had been playing together for a long time. This cohesion was absent in Thursday’s game, where the U.S. faced difficulties moving the ball, lost momentum, and committed 14 turnovers. Clark attributed part of the struggle to Puerto Rico’s zone defense, which disrupted the team’s transition game. However, she emphasized that many of the mistakes were self-inflicted, stemming from lapses in defensive coverage and communication. Head coach Kara Lawson echoed Clark’s assessment, stating that the team’s breakdowns resulted from a combination of factors. She highlighted the importance of precise defensive execution and adapting to opponents’ increased skill levels. “When your opponent increases in difficulty, they have more skill and power to exploit the things we are not doing well,” Lawson said. The coach also stressed the need for the team to refine its strategies as they continue to build chemistry. Despite having some of the world’s top basketball talent, Team USA is still in the process of developing team identity and cohesion.#paige_bueckers #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark #usa_women_team #fiba_world_cup_qualifiers
Caitlin Clark delivers standout performance as USA Basketball dominates Spain in FIBA World Cup qualifier Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the United States women’s national team, showcased her elite skills during a decisive 84-70 victory over Spain in the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. The 24-year-old averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists across the Americans’ five-game qualifying campaign, with her contributions pivotal in securing a perfect 5-0 record. In the matchup against Spain, Clark tallied 7 points and 7 assists, complementing the efforts of team leaders Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum, who scored 20 and 18 points respectively. The game unfolded with the U.S. maintaining a commanding lead throughout, highlighted by Clark’s dynamic playmaking. In the first quarter, Clark opened the scoring with a three-pointer and two free throws, finishing with 2 assists as the U.S. built an early 8-5 advantage. Her ability to transition the ball quickly was evident when she delivered a long pass to Paige Bueckers during a critical moment in the second quarter. By halftime, the U.S. led 44-32, with Kelsey Plum leading the charge with 10 points. Clark’s impact continued in the third quarter, where she assisted Kahleah Copper and Paige Buckers on three-pointers while also recording a steal. Her playmaking prowess was on full display as the U.S. extended its lead to 61-47 by the end of the third period. The final quarter saw the Americans cruise to victory, with Clark’s composure and leadership helping the team secure the win. The U.S. team, already qualified for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin, Germany, used the tournament to prepare younger players for future international competitions.#usa_basketball #kelsey_plum #caitlin_clark #fiba_world_cup #kahleah_copper
USA Women's Basketball Dominates Spain in FIBA Qualifier The United States women’s basketball team secured a resounding 84-70 victory over Spain on Tuesday, completing a flawless 5-0 performance in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The win solidified the Americans’ dominance in the competition, with standout performances from key players like Kahleah Copper, Kelsey Plum, and Caitlin Clark. Copper led the team with 20 points, while Plum added 18 and Dearica Hamby contributed 14. Caitlin Clark, known for her playmaking, recorded seven points and seven assists, showcasing her impact on both ends of the court. Paige Bueckers also played a role, scoring nine points to bolster the team’s offensive output. The victory marked the culmination of a successful tournament for the U.S. squad, which had already defeated Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, and New Zealand. Head coach Kara Lawson, who previously coached Duke University’s women’s team, guided the squad to a perfect record. The tournament, part of the path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, saw the U.S. team maintain its high level of play throughout the competition. The final game against Spain was a testament to the team’s depth and preparation, with the Americans maintaining a commanding lead from the outset. The U.S. team’s schedule in Puerto Rico included a series of high-scoring wins, with notable margins such as 110-46 against Senegal and 101-46 against New Zealand. The final showdown against Spain saw the Americans take control early, with a 12-point lead at halftime and a 20-point advantage by the end of the third quarter. The final score of 84-70 underscored the team’s ability to execute under pressure and capitalize on opportunities.#kelsey_plum #usa_women_basketball #fiba_qualifier #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark
