U.S. Women’s National Team Gears Up for FIBA World Cup

The U.S. women’s basketball team will feature rising stars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers as they make their World Cup debuts next month. These athletes aim to contribute to the team’s quest for a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title.

Joining them are seasoned Olympic medalists including A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Kelsey Plum. A’ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, expressed her excitement about participating, stating, “It’s always good when you compete for a gold medal, it’s a big honor. It’s something I don’t take lightly. Time to go there and have some fun and also win.”

Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston will also make their World Cup debuts, completing the line-up. USA Basketball’s national team managing director, Sue Bird, praised the team’s talent and expressed confidence in their capabilities, noting the team’s privilege in competing in Berlin. She said, “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin. Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal.”

Breanna Stewart joins the ranks of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi as she participates in her fourth World Cup. The team will compete against China, Italy, and the Czech Republic from September 4-13 in Berlin. This event will pause the WNBA season for nearly three weeks to allow players to participate.

The young stars Clark, Bueckers, and Reese were instrumental in the American team’s victory at a World Cup qualifying tournament held in Puerto Rico last March. While Sabrina Ionescu, a significant part of the team in recent years, will not be part of the roster this time, Bird expressed appreciation for the abundant talent available, saying, “The beauty of that is it means almost all players are wanting to be on this team, willing to be on this team. It is a sacrifice. It is a time commitment.”

Alyssa Thomas did not participate in any USA Basketball camps despite her gold-winning performance at the Paris Olympics. Similarly, Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles had not attended any USA camps yet. Miles, who is a leading candidate for WNBA Rookie of the Year, was praised by Bird for her dynamic play, “It’s been amazing watching her grow in this league. She’s played with USA basketball before. She will undoubtedly be in the mix for teams in the future.”