Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have to build a strong duo to adjust to the changes on Team USA
Two major absences put more responsibility on the younger core
T he U.S. basketball team heading to the World Cup has made two considerable changes to its roster. Now, the younger players will have to build a solid team capable of competing for gold. Team USA enters the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup as the favorite, but the players will have to work together to achieve that goal.
Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson have been dropped from the roster for health reasons , paving the way for Mystics guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen. The changes come just days before Team USA tips off the tournament in Berlin, where the players are already preparing for their games.
Team chemistry will be key with two veterans out
Wilson has been dealing with a recurrent back issue over the last week and apparently did not want to exacerbate it. P lum, meanwhile, has been dealing with a calf issue for most of the season and did everything she could to make the World Cup squad, but could not meet the tight timeline.
The current Team USA roster now relies heavily on its young core to get the job done after two more veterans pulled out . The relationships within the roster will have to stand out, and there is plenty of excitement around seeing what the combination o f Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will look like while playing on the same team.
Clark and Reese now have a chance to turn their rivalry into chemistry
The egos have to stay aside, with the rivalries left for the WNBA . More importantly, the players have to be honest about each other’s strengths so they can stand out as a team . Clark and Reese are known to have had some tension between them, and Caitlin has also recently had issues with Paige Bueckers, but those situations have to stay in the past. The goal now is to maximize what makes each of them some of the best players in the league.
Team USA enters as the heavy favorite to win the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, with a roster full of generational talent. Even without four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, the U.S. has the best odds of winning the tournament.
Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kiki Iriafen, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young make up the 12-player roster. It is a strong group despite the late changes.
The U.S. roster is highlighted by athletes with extensive USA Basketball experience, combining for 10 Olympic and five World Cup gold medals. The team also features nine players making their World Cup debuts. Team USA is seeking its fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal and its 12th overall.
