By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-06 18:37:53 | Updated at 2026-08-07 16:36:04
22 hours ago
Caitlin Clark is one of several young WNBA superstars who will make their World Cup debuts next month after being named to the US women's national team.
Clark, who controversially missed out on the 2024 Olympics roster, is joined by fellow World Cup debutants Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers on the 12-player team.
They helped the USA win a World Cup qualifying tournament in March and now Clark, Reese and Bueckers will travel to Berlin hoping to secure a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup title for the United States.
It comes after another turbulent period for Clark, who has been at the center of several controversies that continue to engulf the WNBA.
The Fever star's treatment by officials and fellow players has again come under the microscope, while Clark was also branded a 'coward' for not defending Sophie Cunningham after her teammate made controversial comments about transgender athletes.
Alongside her on the World Cup team are Olympic medalists A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum.
Caitlin Clark is one of several young WNBA stars who will make their World Cup debuts
Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are also included on the USA roster for next month's event
Rhyne Howard and Aliyah Boston, meanwhile, will also be making their World Cup debuts, with Kara Lawson coaching the team.
'This is an incredibly talented group,' USA Basketball national team managing director Sue Bird said in a statement.
'Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can't wait to see what this team accomplishes together.'
Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP, said: 'It's always good when you compete for a gold medal, it's a big honor... it's something I don't take lightly. Time to go there and have some fun and also win.'
Stewart is the third player in USA Basketball history to appear in four World Cup tournaments, joining Bird, who played in five, and Diana Taurasi, who also played in four.
The Americans will face China, Italy and the Czech Republic in pool play at the World Cup, which will be held from September 4 to 13 in Berlin. The WNBA will take a nearly three-week break in its season to accommodate the event.
Sabrina Ionescu and Alyssa Thomas are among the big names left off the roster.
Earlier this summer, Thomas struck Clark in the throat, sparking another wave of controversy over whether the Indiana Fever superstar is afforded enough protection on the court.
She has been the biggest star in women's basketball since her days at Iowa and USA basketball came under huge pressure to select the No 1 draft pick for the 2024 Olympics.
Clark was branded a 'coward' for not defending Sophie Cunningham after her teammate made controversial comments about transgender athletes
But Clark was left off the roster for Paris, prompting a fierce debate among some critics and commentators. There was a similar backlash earlier this year when All-Star voting saw the Fever star ranked 11th among WNBA guards by her peers.
Cunningham, meanwhile, recently sparked a nationwide debate when she told ESPN that young girls 'shouldn't have to go against biological men' when playing sports.
When Caitlin Clark was asked about her teammate's comments, she said: 'I think, for us, it's not really a discussion we really have in our locker room.
'I think it's for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions, but our focus is on basketball. That's what we talk about and how we can get wins, and, obviously, we didn't do that tonight.'
A second reporter then followed up with a question on the same subject, to which Clark said: 'I just answered for you.' Megyn Kelly called the Fever star a 'coward' for not speaking out in support of her teammate.
On the court, Clark broke more new ground last month when she became the first WNBA player in history to amass at least 40 points and 10 assists in a single game. Her tally of 45 points was also a franchise record.
