The USA Basketball women’s roster for the FIBA World Cup was recently announced, and among the names missing was Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell.
Strategic roster choices
Coach Kara Lawson said the final list was crafted to balance seasoned veterans with emerging talent, aiming to create a cohesive unit that could execute a specific style of play.
Caitlin Clark, who captured MVP honors in the qualifying tournament held in Puerto Rico, and Aliyah Boston, a standout from the University of Michigan, earned spots after attending the senior national team camps under Lawson’s guidance.
Mitchell, however, elected to focus on 3×3 basketball during the previous Olympic cycle, skipping the traditional five‑on‑five camps that many of her peers attended.
The tournament in Berlin will showcase seven players making their first FIBA World Cup appearance, including Breanna Stewart and Angel Reese, adding a fresh dynamic to the competition.
The WNBA will pause its season from August 29 through September 17 to accommodate players competing abroad, a move that underscores the growing overlap between the league and international events.