The U.S. women’s national basketball team has finalized its roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, set to take place in Berlin from September 4 to 13. Seven players from the squad will be making their World Cup debuts during the tournament.
Among the first-time participants are Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, and Jackie Young. They will be joined by seasoned players including Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson, all of whom bring extensive international experience.
Notable Roster Highlights
Breanna Stewart is set to make history as just the third player to compete in at least four World Cups for the national team, joining legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. Stewart is currently the only member of the New York Liberty representing the U.S. in this tournament, while her teammate Sabrina Ionescu will not be participating.
In a statement, Stewart noted that a significant number of her team will also be participating in the World Cup, highlighting the overall talent within the sport.
USA Basketball’s women’s national team managing director, Sue Bird, expressed confidence in the selected roster, referring to the team as “an incredibly talented group” and emphasized the privilege of wearing the USA jersey while striving for another gold medal.
Bird, who was appointed as managing director in May, has been pivotal in forming the national team for the upcoming Olympic cycle. She acknowledged the challenge of assembling the roster, which includes a balance of youth and experience, while noting that the absence of certain players does not reflect their abilities.
“It’s making choices for those that I think are going to be part of the 12 to win a gold medal and complement each other,” Bird commented regarding her roster decisions. Players omitted from the final selection included Minnesota Lynx’s Olivia Miles and Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby.
Coaching the team will be Duke head coach Kara Lawson, supported by a staff that includes her Duke assistant and coaches from several professional teams. Lawson expressed enthusiasm about working with the selected players, highlighting the competitive nature of the selection process.
The U.S. team, fresh off its fourth consecutive Gold Medal win in 2022, will kick off group play against China on September 4, followed by Italy and Czechia. The quarterfinals are set for September 10, with semifinals occurring on September 12 and the final on September 13.
The WNBA season is scheduled to pause from August 31 to September 16 to accommodate the World Cup, with the Liberty returning to competition on September 18 against the Minnesota Lynx.
Why It Matters: The composition of the U.S. women’s national team’s roster reflects a blend of emerging talent and veteran experience, underscoring the depth of women’s basketball talent in the U.S. The success of this team could influence the sport’s growth and visibility on the global stage.