BERLIN — Megan DiLeo, the star center for Team Spain, is set to lead her squad into a challenging semifinal against Team USA in the FIBA Women’s World Cup on Saturday. Her matchup will be particularly notable as it pits her against her former Iowa teammate, Caitlin Clark, who has been a key player for the U.S. team, despite being utilized primarily off the bench this tournament.
USA coach Kara Lawson has made the decision to start veteran Chelsea Gray at point guard over Clark throughout the group stages, despite Clark’s strong performances and statistics. DiLeo, however, does not view Clark’s bench role as an advantage for Spain. “She’s just a great player; it doesn’t really matter when she goes into a game, she’s going to make an impact,” DiLeo explained. “We just gotta be ready for her and for the rest of the roster. They’re talented, they’re deep.”
Reunion on the Court
The upcoming match marks a reunion for the two players who were both part of the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball program, albeit at different times. DiLeo, a consensus National Player of the Year in 2019, played at Iowa from 2015 to 2019, helping to recruit Clark, who joined the team in 2020. DiLeo, who became a naturalized Spanish citizen in 2023, expressed her excitement for rekindling their rivalry on the international stage. Though she has not spoken with Clark since their arrival in Germany, DiLeo is looking forward to the matchup.
Both players bring impressive accolades to the court: DiLeo finished her college career with a record 2,804 points, while Clark holds the NCAA Division I women’s basketball record with 3,951 points. Saturday’s game will not be their first clash in international play; the U.S. previously defeated Spain 84-70 during the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, where Clark was named MVP.
In the quarterfinals leading up to the semifinal, DiLeo notably scored 16 points against Australia, contributing to Spain’s 89-66 victory. On the other hand, the U.S. team, which has won 34 consecutive World Cup games, defeated Hungary 108-56, with Clark contributing 10 points and nine assists.
Spain aims to achieve a remarkable upset against the U.S., which has previously won 11 consecutive meetings between the two nations, including the last two World Cup tournaments. As they prepare for Saturday’s clash at 6 p.m. local time, DiLeo’s leadership and familiarity with Clark could play pivotal roles in Spain’s efforts to make history.
Why It Matters: This semifinal is a crucial moment for both teams, as the U.S. seeks to maintain its dominance in women’s basketball, while Spain aims to secure its first victory over the Americans and make its mark on the World Cup stage.
