A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier head to Team USA camp; Caitlin Clark to sit out session
A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier will return to Team USA for this week’s training camp in Phoenix, while Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are among the notable absences. The pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists, who were leaders of the Paris team along with Breanna Stewart in 2024, hadn’t been a part of the first two training camps of Kara Lawson’s tenure but will be participating from Wednesday through Friday, with the 2026 World Cup five months away. Stewart is unavailable due to playing in the EuroLeague postseason with Fenerbahçe.
Collier had surgery on both her ankles after suffering an injury at the end of the WNBA season. She is still rehabbing and will not be an on-court participant. With the arrival of these USAB stalwarts, several players who were part of the World Cup qualifying tournament earlier this month in Puerto Rico will not be appearing, including Clark, Reese, Kelsey Plum, Rhyne Howard and Chelsea Gray.
Paige Bueckers headlines the list of players returning to camp. The Dallas Wings guard is the lone player to be part of all three camps during this cycle. JuJu Watkins, who attended camp in December in Durham but did not play, will be in Phoenix as a limited participant, per USA Basketball.
Watkins tore her ACL 12 months ago and sat out the entire NCAA season. Managing director Sue Bird has expanded the pool of players who will be considered for the World Cup roster in September. Over the course of three camps in December, March and April, 29 players will have suited up for Team USA, including several new to the senior team and to 5×5.
Six players who haven’t yet been a part of this cycle will be on the court in Phoenix: WNBA veterans Sabrina Ionescu, Stefanie Dolson, Azura Stevens, Brittney Sykes and Kayla Thornton, and rising NCAA junior Mikayla Blakes. Thornton is a USAB rookie, while Blakes is making her senior debut. Rounding out the roster are Monique Billings, Rae Burrell, Cameron Brink, Veronica Burton and Rickea Jackson.