SI:CYMI | Team USA’s Caitlin Clark Era Has Arrived

Plus, more from the NBA and college football.

Kristen Wong Morning! This is Kristen Wong from Sports Illustrated. Hope you’re having a great week so far and watching as many clips from the Practical Magic 2 press tour as possible. The witching hour is soon upon us. And so is a new era of Team USA women’s basketball, with Caitlin Clark set to play in her first major international tournament at the FIBA World Cup on Friday. Clark along with fellow newbies Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, among others, will look to help lead the Americans to their fifth straight World Cup gold medal in Berlin.  Forward this to a friend who’s about to spend way too much money on Travis Kelce in their first-ever fantasy auction draft.   Recommended by  The headlines … Brooklyn Nets/X CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Did you hear? Pablo was right. The NBA dropped the hammer on the Clippers following its investigation into alleged cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. Here’s a helpful breakdown of every penalty assessed to the Clippers in the wake of the probe. And here’s how the Clippers punishment stacks up against other severe penalties in sports history. … North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi has resigned amid the university’s ongoing investigation. … Tiger Woods recently received a light punishment in his DUI case. Now it’s time for his biggest test. SI GRAB BAG: Resident golf expert Andy Nesbitt wrote about one of golf’s most special events, which is about to take place this weekend. … PGA Tour vet Brandt Snedeker made a few bold captain’s picks for this year’s Presidents Cup, but here’s why they could pan out well. … Ever wonder how the Brooklyn Nets almost became known as the Swamp Dragons? Look no further. … Kim Mulkey’s plan backfired, big-time. Here’s why Ukrainian center Kate Koval decided to leave LSU. … And last but never least, our college football guy Dan Lyons has you covered on which fantasy players to start and sit in Week 1 from each Power 4 league. Join Verducci's View Newsletter MLB insights and analysis delivered by Tom Verducci, offering a mix of expert commentary, inside angles and thoughtful perspectives on baseball’s biggest storylines. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE   Recommended by  Feed refresher … Screengrab on YouTube/@jordanchiles That’s the good stuff … JORDAN’S BACK: Jordan Chiles got some help from Michael Jordan to let the world know that Jordan’s back: The beloved U.S. gymnast announced her plans to compete at the 2028 L.A. Games in a pretty awesome video. Chiles, a two-time Olympian, just graduated from UCLA in June and will join Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera as the returning members of the gold medal-winning Paris squad; Simone Biles hasn’t yet decided whether she, too, will make a comeback for what would be her fourth Olympics. GRAND SLAMS: The 40-year-old Gaël Monfis is a gladiator of his sport. Which is to say, the man always entertains. Here’s a clip of him turning back the clock and executing a leaping forehand winner against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, whom he beat in four sets at the U.S. Open. Just an absolutely ridiculous shot that few pros would even think about trying on the big stage. QUADRUPLE MEG: One meg, two megs, three megs, four megs? It can’t be done. And yet, it was. FOREVER MY GOAT: Speaking of all-time great nutmegs, Lionel Messi has retired from the national team following a second-place finish at the World Cup. What a sad occasion. In honor of the GOAT, all soccer matches in Argentina will be paused in the 10th minute for a minute-long applause. O captain, my captain! Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. Click to subscribe! 📺 What we’re watching this weekend ... CFB: Friday, Sept. 4 No. 7 Miami @ Stanford—9 p.m. ET; ESPN Fresno State @ No. 14 USC—9 p.m. ET; FOX Saturday, Sept. 5 Boise State @ No. 2 Oregon—3:30 p.m. ET; CBS/Paramount+ Clemson @ No. 11 LSU—7:30 P.M. ET; ABC UCLA @ Cal—10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN Sunday, Sept. 6 Wisconsin @ No. 4 Notre Dame—7:30 p.m. ET; NBC/Peacock No. 24 Louisville @ No. 9 Ole Miss—7:30 p.m. ET; ABC A whole lot of college football is coming your way this weekend. Don’t leave your couches. FIBA Women’s World Cup: Friday, Sept. 4 Team USA @ China—8:15 a.m. ET; TNT/HBO Max Sunday, Sept. 6 Italy @ Team USA—2:45 p.m. ET; TNT/HBO Max Caitlin Clark and Team USA will open the FIBA World Cup against China on Friday. A stacked American side will be without veterans A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, but the reigning champs still boast plenty of talent across the court. As a reminder, the U.S. women dominated the FIBA Qualifiers back in March, going undefeated across five games and winning by an average margin of 42 points. That’s a wrap for today. See ya Monday! Join SI The Post-Up A weekly spotlight on the biggest stories and in-depth reporting of women’s basketball—from compelling athlete features to sharp commentary on the latest news and scores. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE   Recommended by  We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:CYMI newsletter. You can unsubscribe here . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. 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