With the game against China in the bag, Team USA is now looking ahead to their game against Italy as they continue their group stage campaign in the FIBA World Cup. With so many international players now playing in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark could not stop showing her appreciation for the American league ecosystem, especially its coaches, for transforming overseas players into world-class talent. Clark gives a special shoutout to coach Natalie Nakase, who played a crucial role in the development of Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini.

“Obviously, Zandalasini’s had an incredible year with the Valkyries. And, you know, Coach Nat, who’s on our staff, has been able to coach her and really get the best out of her. And you know, I think she’s an incredible player. It seems like every game she continues to get better and better. She can stretch the floor. She can score in the mid-range. She has great size. She’s athletic,” Clark said in the press conference following the USA versus China game.

“So, you know, she’ll be one of the keys to our scouting report, I’m sure. But she’s certainly had a tremendous year, and I would expect her to do the same for Italy as well.”

Caitlin Clark has good reasons for singling out Zandalasini. The Golden State Valkyries forward Zandalasini has had an amazing season so far. She has emerged as a key player in coach Natalie Nakase’s setup. Zandalasini is averaging 8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Valkyries this season, in 19.1 minutes of playing time per game. She is quite efficient in getting on the board as well, shooting 39.7% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc.

Zandalasini’s reliability can be gauged from the fact that she has started 32 of the 35 games she has played for the Valkyries this season, keeping the Golden State second in the WNBA standings. In Friday’s 63–54 FIBA World Cup triumph against Czechia, Zandalasini paced Italy across almost 33 minutes of action. She finished with 19 points on 7-of-20 shooting, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, along with five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

Despite a 93–59 blowout loss to the U.S. at the Puerto Rico qualifying tournament, a Zandalasini-led Italian side finished 4–1, stunning Spain the very next day. Italy will once again have to navigate a grueling group stage that includes both Team USA and reigning 2022 World Cup silver medalists China.

This is something that Caitlin Clark and the USA camp are aware of as well.

“Obviously, we haven’t got into the scout. That’s that’ll be our next point, but we were able to play them when I was on the World Cup qualifying team in Puerto Rico. So, obviously I have a little familiarity there. Very talented team,” Clark said.

“You know, everybody’s going to get up and play their best when they’re playing us. So, we all have to be prepared in that regard.”

Italy is back on the world stage in emphatic fashion. Following last year’s bronze-medal win over France in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025, which snapped a EuroBasket medal dry spell going back to 1995, the squad has reached the World Cup—marking the nation’s first trip to a major global basketball event since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Although the odds for the Italians are listed as quite slim heading into the game, at just 1.5%, it’s a good time to be cautious for the Americans, considering the World Cup has already produced one of its shocking upsets, with Mali getting the best of Spain.

So Zandalasini and Co. have their task cut out. Italy faces Team USA and Caitlin Clark again on September 7. Against Collier, Howard, and Stewart, Zandalasini must hit tough mid-range looks and draw contact to prevent prolonged scoring droughts.

Clark and Co. will, as usual, hope to top the group as they push for a fifth straight World Cup title.