Angel McCoughtry has watched Caitlin Clark reacting strongly to referees’ calls and non-calls at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament. McCoughtry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in her own right, knows exactly what Clark was going through in the tournament that ended this week.

On Thursday’s episode of the “Court Vision” podcast, McCoughtry imparted some words of advice for the Indiana Fever superstar who made her senior Team USA debut in Puerto Rico this month.

“Caitlin, it probably was a bad call…who cares if they miss one? You’re wearing USA on your chest. It’s a bigger stage, and the whole world is watching. Be like, okay, give a little shrug, I’m going to get this next one.”

McCoughtry, a five-time WNBA All-Star who spent 14 seasons in the league, pointed to the rising stock of women’s basketball and shared a quote from former Team USA coach Geno Auriemma.

“He said, you’re not going to have all the endorsements like the men. And we didn’t. But he said, go out there and win gold for your country anyway…They have that now. They will be on the Wheaties box.”

In essence, McCoughtry is telling Caitlin Clark to look at the bigger picture. Aside from all the perks that she and her fellow WNBA players are now reaping, Team USA has gone 5-0 in the qualifying tournament to gain momentum for the 2026 World Cup in September.

The last thing that McCoughtry and other Team USA fans would like to see is Clark getting thrown out of a crucial game during the World Cup. Fewer crashouts from CC would certainly be a welcome development.

“As She Should”: Aliyah Boston Reacts to Caitlin Clark Leading Team USA in Points Scored

When all was said and done in San Juan, Caitlin Clark won MVP honors after leading the undefeated Team USA in total points scored.

Prior to Clark bagging the MVP award, her Fever teammate Aliyah Boston offered praise for CC’s dominance on the scoring end. When Candace Parker pointed out on an episode of their “Post Moves” podcast that Clark was topscoring for Team USA, Boston showed no surprise at all.

“As she should. As she should. Slay babes.”

Now that the WNBA and the players association have reached a tentative agreement on a new CBA, it’s only a matter of time before Clark and Boston reunite on the hardcourt.