At Team USA Camp, Caitlin Clark provides updates on WNBA negotiations and her full recovery. Legendary Hawkeye player Caitlin Clark has been in the news both on and off the court since her dominance in college. Clark is going through one of the most important times in her professional career, juggling the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with her own injury recovery.
Following her first Team USA senior training camp practice in Durham, North Carolina, on December 12, Clark, who missed a significant amount of time during the 2025 WNBA season due to a series of soft tissue injuries, including complications to her left quad, left groin, right groin, and left ankle, revealed she is now “finally back to 100%.” Her quick recovery has been heartening for teammates, coaches, and fans alike, even though she was only able to play in 13 games with the Indiana Fever last season.
”I think the challenge for myself was just, it was one, and then it’s like a little better, but then it continued to compound and get worse and other things pop up. And then I had the ankle injury. So it feels nice to finally be back at 100%,” Clark said during a Zoom call.
Clark is one of ten new members of the Senior National Team, which is getting ready for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany, and one of 17 players at the Team USA training camp. Attending these camps now will increase her chances of being selected for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic rosters, even though she was left off of Team USA’s 2024 Paris Olympic roster.
”She’s a terrific player, really locked in and focused. I thought she looked good on both ends. And I thought that she hadn’t missed a beat,” said USA National Team head coach Kara Lawson, praising Clark’s preparation and mindset.
Although Clark’s recuperation is a big story, she has also spoken out about the WNBA’s current CBA negotiations, which are another pivotal moment for the league. Speaking at Duke University with other well-known athletes like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Cameron Brink, Clark stressed the importance of the situation and the players’ dedication to pursuing their rights.
”I think the most important thing for myself, thinking about these negotiations like this is the biggest moment that WNBA has ever seen. And it’s not something that can be messed up, and we’re going to fight for everything that we deserve, but at the same time, like, we need to play basketball,” Clark said during her media availability.
She continued, highlighting the balance between securing players’ rights and ensuring fans get the on-court product they crave.
”That’s what our fans crave, and that’s what all of you crave as well. You want the product on the floor. And at the end of the day, that’s how you make the money. That’s how your market is. That’s what the fans get excited about. That’s what the fans want to show up for. It’s a business, and it’s a negotiation, and there has to be a compromise on both sides,” Clark explained.
Clark also mentioned that she made an effort to fully comprehend the complexities of the negotiations, acknowledging that while some demands are non-negotiable, compromise will be required in other areas.
”We’re starting to get down to the wire of it, and it’s become really important. Obviously, I want to help in any way I can, and I try to educate myself the best I can. Obviously, I can’t speak to every single member. It’s pretty complicated, but I think there are different things that we can find ways to say, like, ‘we certainly deserve that,’ and ‘we can compromise on that,’ and then other things that we can’t probably compromise on,” she said.
Clark’s dual focus on her personal well-being and the WNBA’s overall future highlights her dual roles as a rising leader in the sport and a player whose international profile has a big impact. The league and the WNBA Players Association have made progress on the rules for the next expansion draft while CBA talks are ongoing, but it won’t happen until a new agreement is approved. Despite her obligations both on and off the court, Clark has not committed to playing in up-and-coming offseason leagues like Athletes Unlimited, Unrivaled, and Project B. Instead, she has chosen to concentrate on her recuperation, chances to play for the national team, and the possibility of playing a full WNBA season with the Indiana Fever.
Fans find comfort and inspiration in Clark’s recovery and her openness regarding the league’s negotiations. As one of the faces of women’s basketball, her commitment to her craft and support of players’ rights serve as an example of the changing role of professional athletes as leaders and competitors in determining the direction of their sport. With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup approaching and WNBA developments continuing, Caitlin Clark is well-positioned for a season and career characterized by excellence, leadership, and resiliency.
