New era for US basketball: Clark, Reese, Bueckers set for World Cup debuts
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NEW YORK (AP)
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts next month as members of the US women’s national team, aiming to help secure a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup crown.
The trio joins Olympic medallists A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum.
“It’s always good when you compete for a gold medal, it’s a big honour,” said Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP. “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 debut, rounding out the 12-player roster.
“I’m so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” said Sue Bird, the national team’s managing director. “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. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes together.”
This marks the first time USA Basketball has had a managing director select the team, replacing the traditional committee process. Kara Lawson will serve as head coach.
Stewart becomes only the third player in USA Basketball history to appear in four World Cups, joining Bird (five) and Diana Taurasi (four).
The Americans will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in pool play from September 4-13 in Berlin. The WNBA will pause nearly three weeks to accommodate the event.
Clark, Reese and Bueckers already contributed to the US qualifying tournament victory in Puerto Rico in March.
Sabrina Ionescu, a fixture in recent years, was left off this roster. Bird said she personally called players who didn’t make the cut.
“I think we can all agree the hardest part, which is a problem I would never trade, is that we have so much talent,” Bird said. “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, who helped win gold at the Paris Olympics, did not attend USA Basketball camps since. Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles also hadn’t participated in camps yet.
“Tremendous player. So much fun to watch,” Bird said of Miles, the front-runner for WNBA Rookie of the Year. “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.”