Former Iowa Star Says Caitlin Clark's Bench Role 'Doesn't Matter' Ahead of Spain Showdown

As Team USA prepares for a high-stakes FIBA World Cup semifinal against Spain, one former Iowa Hawkeyes star is brushing off the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark's bench role. Megan DiLeo, who played at Iowa before Clark arrived, says the debate over starting versus coming off the bench is overblown.

DiLeo, now a key player for Spain, told Outkick's Jackson Thompson that Clark's impact is inevitable regardless of when she enters the game.

“I mean, I think she's just a great player. It doesn't really matter when she goes into the game. She's going to make a good impact. We've just got to be ready for her and for the rest of the roster,” DiLeo said after Spain's quarterfinal win over Australia.

Clark's Numbers Tell the Story

While Clark has come off the bench in all four of Team USA's games so far, her production has been anything but bench-level. She leads the team in minutes played (21.5 per game), assists (7 per game), and plus/minus (+23), while ranking sixth in scoring.

The Indiana Fever star is also a top-three MVP candidate in the WNBA and leads the league in assists, which has fueled criticism of head coach Kara Lawson's decision to keep her out of the starting lineup.

Spain's Confidence Is Growing

Spain enters the semifinal with momentum after knocking off World No. 3 Australia. The team, which missed the 2022 World Cup entirely, has won three straight games since a surprising 82-73 loss to Mali earlier in the tournament.

DiLeo pointed to Spain's roster depth as a reason for confidence.

“We have WNBA players. We have players who have played in the EuroLeague... We have players who are very talented, no matter where they've played,” she said.

Spain boasts seven players with WNBA experience, including current and former league talent.

Team USA Has Shown Vulnerabilities

Despite Team USA's record-setting 52-point blowout of Hungary in the quarterfinals, the Americans have not been flawless. Italy held them to just 55 points in a narrow three-point loss, marking the worst scoring output for a U.S. women's team in 42 years. Clark scored just one point in that game.

A Personal Connection Between DiLeo and Clark

DiLeo and Clark never played together at Iowa, but their connection runs deep. DiLeo, drafted 17th overall by the Dallas Wings in 2019, played a role in convincing Clark to join the Hawkeyes in 2020. Both have since had their jerseys retired by the university.

Now they will face each other with a spot in the gold medal game on the line. The winner advances to the FIBA World Cup final, while the loser goes home.

Whether Lawson changes her starting lineup remains to be seen, but DiLeo's message is clear: Spain is ready for whoever steps on the court.