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Sports

Did Caitlin Clark set the U.S. single-game assist record at the Women’s Basketball World Cup?

Published

Verdict
False
Verification confidenceHigh

Explanation

No. Clark recorded 11 assists against China on September 4, but that was not the U.S. single-game record at the Women’s Basketball World Cup.

FIBA’s own record table lists Dawn Staley with 12 assists against Russia in 1998. Reuters likewise described Clark’s 11 as the highest U.S. total since Staley’s 12, while CBS Sports reproduced the same ranking.

Clark did set narrower records: most assists by a U.S. player in a World Cup debut and at least 10 assists without a turnover. The performance was historic, but the broader single-game claim is false.

Key takeaway

Clark broke the U.S. debut record, not the overall U.S. single-game record. Dawn Staley’s 12 assists from 1998 remain higher.

Evidence

FIBA distinguishes the debut record from the overall record

FIBA

Contradicts the claim

FIBA says Clark’s 11 assists were a U.S. World Cup debut record, while its single-game table lists Dawn Staley with 12 assists in 1998.

Based on: FIBA

Reuters identifies a higher U.S. total

Reuters

Contradicts the claim

Reuters reports that Clark’s total was the highest by a U.S. player since Dawn Staley recorded 12 assists in 1998.

Based on: Reuters

Independent ranking places Clark behind Staley

CBS Sports

Provides context

CBS Sports lists Clark’s 11 assists behind Staley’s 12 and explains the narrower records Clark did set in her World Cup debut.

Based on: CBS Sports

Sources

FIBA

Caitlin Clark dazzles in record-breaking debut

Sep 4, 2026
Reuters

Zhang's towering presence steals spotlight as US open World Cup with win over China

Sep 4, 2026
CBS Sports

Caitlin Clark delivers historic double-double off bench as Team USA dominates China in World Cup opener

Sep 4, 2026

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