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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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The roster was announced for the United States’ 2026 women’s FIBA World Cup team.
The group reads like a who’s who list of WNBA All-Stars with some of the top names in the league representing the USA.
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), Caitlin Clark (Fever), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Kelsey Plum (Mercury), Angel Reese (Dream), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), A’ja Wilson (Aces), and Jackie Young (Aces) all made the squad.
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“The makeup of the roster is pretty straightforward,” USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird told reporters. “Just wanting to have a good mixture of people with experience, of people with youth -- obviously, that sets us up for the future as well, but also a team that complements each other and can go on the court and win gold.
“And that's always the north star in all these decisions that I've made: putting together a roster that complements each other, has a cohesiveness, can play [national team coach] Kara [Lawson]'s style, and go out there and get a gold.”
While the roster is loaded with talent, there were some notable omissions.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles, and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas were among those not on the roster, and one player — Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell —had fans lighting up the comment section.
“No Kelsey Mitchell is diabolical,” one fan stated.
“To not have Kelsey Mitchell on this roster is criminal and I don’t even like the Fever,” another fan added.
“WHERE THE HELL IS KELSEY MITCHELL??????????” a third fan exclaimed.
“The fact that Kelsey Mitchell is not on this roster is why I don’t watch,” remarked another fan.
“How is Kelsey Mitchell not on this roster?!” asked one user.
“Where is Kelsey Mitchell? Do they even watch women’s basketball? 🏀 Do numbers not matter?” another questioned.
“Why no Kelsey Mitchell? I plead ignorance on how this works,” another fan replied.
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