Team USA Sends 6 Under-25 Players to Berlin World Cup as Clark, Bueckers, Reese Lead
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 3
Team USA Sends 6 Under-25 Players to Berlin World Cup as Clark, Bueckers, Reese Lead
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 3
Summary
Six Team USA players under 25 will headline the FIBA World Cup in Berlin, with Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese taking on outsized roles in a reshaped roster.
A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were ruled out for health reasons, prompting call-ups for Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron and leaving seven of the 12 players without prior senior 5-on-5 major tournament experience.
Clark and Bueckers arrive after starring in March World Cup qualifying in Puerto Rico, where Clark averaged a field-best 6.4 assists and won MVP, while Reese's rebounding and physicality also impressed coach Kara Lawson.
Breanna Stewart and Chelsea Gray now provide the veteran spine for a team chasing a 12th World Cup gold and fifth straight title, even as Lawson calls this the toughest tournament to win because global competition has tightened.