As the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup approaches, Team USA is facing significant challenges following the withdrawals of two star players, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Despite this setback, head coach Kara Lawson remains resolute, indicating that the team has already shifted its focus beyond these veteran athletes.
In a press conference held just days before the tournament kicks off in Berlin, Germany, Lawson addressed the situation candidly. She acknowledged the contributions of both Wilson and Plum, who have been instrumental in Team USA’s success in previous competitions, but emphasized the need to concentrate on the players who are available. "Both of them obviously have been great players for us, and I’ll miss being around them, but ultimately, we’ve kind of moved on… We don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves,” Lawson stated.
The absence of Wilson and Plum raises concerns among fans regarding Team USA's chances of securing another gold medal. Wilson, who has been battling persistent back issues, decided to withdraw from the squad to avoid exacerbating her condition during the demanding tournament schedule. Meanwhile, Plum's situation is more severe; she is sidelined for the remainder of the WNBA season due to a lower-leg and calf injury, which also led to her exit from the national team.
Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, had been playing through injuries to lead the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. Reports suggest that she has not been at full strength for some time, raising alarms about her ability to compete effectively in the World Cup. In her own words, Wilson admitted that sitting out had been a consideration for her. Plum, on the other hand, participated in only 17 games this summer before announcing on social media that she had "run out of time" in her recovery efforts.
The loss of these two experienced players is significant for Team USA, which has relied on their talents in past international competitions. Wilson is the reigning MVP of the Olympics, WNBA Finals, WNBA, and the 2022 World Cup, while Plum made her international debut at the 2018 World Cup, contributing to the team's success in various tournaments.
Lawson clarified during the press conference that the decision regarding the players' withdrawals was primarily handled by USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird, and she did not have direct conversations with Wilson about her exit. "I didn’t have any conversation with A’ja… I don’t have a timeline. We’ll miss being around them … We wish them both a speedy recovery… but we don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here,” Lawson reiterated.
In response to the vacancies left by Wilson and Plum, the USA team has called up Washington Mystics players Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, who will be making their senior global championship debuts. They join a roster that also includes rising stars like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Caitlin Clark, all of whom are set to take on the challenge of defending Team USA’s championship title in the upcoming tournament.
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