Three Aces Olympians set to play for USA Basketball in World Cup

Three Aces Olympians set to play for USA Basketball in World Cup By Doug Feinberg Associated Press August 6, 2026 - 5:10 pm NEW YORK — Olympic gold medalists Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces will play for the U.S. women’s national team in the upcoming World Cup, USA Basketball announced Thursday. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will make their World Cup debuts and aim to help the United States secure a fifth straight FIBA World Cup title. They will be joined by Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum, all of whom competed in the 2024 Olympics. “It’s ever bully erstwhile you vie for a golden medal, it’s a large honor,” said Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP. “It’s thing I don’t instrumentality lightly. Time to spell determination and person immoderate amusive and besides win.” Ryne Howard and Aliyah Boston will also be making their World Cup debuts to round out the roster. “I’m truthful excited to denote the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,” USA Basketball national team managing manager Sue Bird said. “This is an incredibly talented radical that has earned the accidental to vie successful Berlin. Wearing a USA jersey is simply a privilege, and I cognize these 12 players volition clasp that work arsenic we spell aft different golden medal. I can’t hold to spot what this squad accomplishes together.” This marks the first time USA Basketball has appointed a managing manager to select the team; previously a committee handled the selection. Kara Lawson will coach the squad. Stewart is the third player in USA Basketball history to appear in four World Cup tournaments, alongside Bird, who has played in five, and Diana Taurasi, who also has four appearances. The United States will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in group play at the World Cup, which will be held from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin. The WNBA will pause its season for approximately three weeks to accommodate the tournament. Clark, Bueckers and Reese contributed to the Americans’ victory in the World Cup qualifying tournament held in Puerto Rico last March. Sabrina Ionescu has been a regular member of the U.S. roster in recent years but was omitted from this season’s team. Bird said she contacted many of the players who did not make the squad this time, including Ionescu. “I deliberation we tin each hold the hardest part, which is simply a occupation I would ne'er trade, is that we person truthful overmuch talent,” Bird said. “The quality of that is it means astir each players are wanting to beryllium connected this team, consenting to beryllium connected this team. It is simply a sacrifice. It is simply a clip commitment.” Alyssa Thomas helped the U.S. win gold at the Paris Olympics but did not participate in any USA Basketball camps afterward. Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles also has not attended any USA camps to date. “Tremendous player. So overmuch amusive to watch,” Bird said of Miles, who is the front‑runner for the WNBA Rookie of the Year. “It’s been astonishing watching her turn successful this league. … She’s played with USA hoops before. She volition undoubtedly beryllium successful the premix for teams successful the future.”