U.S. Women’s Basketball Team Gears Up for FIBA World Cup
The United States’ women’s basketball squad is once again the team to beat as it heads into the FIBA World Cup with a lineup that reads like a who’s‑who of recent Olympic gold medalists.
A Roster of Stars and New Faces
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, the last two Olympic Most Valuable Players, headline a roster that also includes Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, all members of the 2024 gold‑medal team. Adding to the mix are rising talents such as Rhyne Howard, the 2024 Olympic 3×3 bronze medalist, and a quartet of newcomers — Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — who are set to make their first global‑championship appearances.
New Leadership on the Sideline
Sue Bird, the newly appointed managing director of the U.S. women’s national team, oversaw the selection process and announced the roster on TODAY, marking her first major tournament assignment since taking the role in May 2025. Kara Lawson, a former assistant under Cheryl Reeve, has been named head coach, stepping into the role after Reeve’s long tenure that produced a record eight consecutive Olympic gold medals.
Historic Winning Streak and Legacy
The United States has strung together 66 straight victories in Olympic and World Cup play since their last loss in 2006, a streak that includes an eighth straight Olympic gold at the Paris Games, a record for any team sport. The squad hopes to carry that momentum into the World Cup, where they will open against China on September 4, replaying the 2022 final.
The absence of Brittney Griner, who sits out her second global championship in the past decade, adds a narrative of resilience, but the depth of talent on the roster suggests the U.S. remains the overwhelming favorite.