Megan Gustafson was making plays for Spain all week at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gustafson, 29, was one of the biggest stars of the week. The Iowa alumna led Spain in average points (14.6), rebounds (6.4) and blocks (1.4) per game as Spain finished 3-2.
Gustafson also made light of a funny sequence in Tuesday’s finale that resulted in her accidentally assisting fellow Hawkeye star Caitlin Clark on a basket.
OK, so it doesn’t actually go into the record books as an assist, but we can all agree to still add it to Gustafson’s stat total, right?
As Gustafson was losing her balance and falling out of bounds after securing a defensive rebound, Gustafson committed one of basketball’s cardinal sins. She tried to save the basketball while underneath her own basket. Instead, she fired the ball directly into the waiting arms of Clark, who laid it off the glass for two points for Team USA.
Team USA topped Spain, 84-70, to complete a 5-0 week for the Americans. Clark was named 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament MVP.
Both Gustafson and Clark received good news early Wednesday morning: the WNBA and the players’ union have reached a verbal agreement on a new CBA. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the agreement means the 2026 season schedule can proceed unchanged. Training camp is set to open April 19, followed by preseason games beginning April 25 and the start of the regular season on May 8.
Gustafson is an unrestricted free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Aces. Clark will return for her third WNBA season with the Indiana Fever and appears healthy, which is a terrific sign after the 6-foot guard was limited to just 13 games last season.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Megan Gustafson reacts to accidental Caitlin Clark assist
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
