The U.S. National Team has announced its squad for the 2022 Women’s World Cup in Australia. Headlining the women’s national team are recently crowned WNBA champions A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and former WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart. The U.S. team is looking to win its fourth consecutive World Cup title.
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The 2022 U.S. Women’s World Cup team will seek its fourth consecutive gold medal in Sydney!
🇺🇸 #USABWNT X #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/WnewsZsuw1
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 20, 2022
Ariel Atkins and Jewell Loyd are the only other U.S. national team players besides Wilson, Gray and Stewart to have played in a World Cup and also played on the Tokyo Olympic team. Plum will be playing for her second World Cup team after leading Team USA to Olympic gold in the 3×3 group. Stewie will be playing for his third World Cup team after winning World Cup MVP in 2018. Wilson and Loyd were members of the 2018 World Cup team.
The World Cup team will not have Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi in its roster for the first time in 20 years.
The two WNBA and UConn legends have led Team USA to five of seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and all nine World Cup medals. Sylvia Fowles and Tina Charles will also be excluded from the U.S. national team due to retirement or transfer to the national team. Brittney Griner is another notable absence, with the United States seeking a deal over Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison for possession of illegal drugs.
“After winning the gold medal, [Bird] He said, ‘Okay, now it’s your turn.’” Wilson told ESPN About Bird passing the Team USA torch, according to ESPN. “I’m like, ‘Huh?’ If you really think about it, it’s me and Stewie. “Everyone is gone.”
“Now I don’t know who’s going to be talking during time out,” Wilson continued. “We will figure it out. But no. This is truly amazing. They have laid a great foundation for us to move forward as the next generation to carry the torch. I was probably scared. But just being able to be back with other great people is exciting. “Let’s go get this gold.”
Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Brionna Jones and Betnijah Laney are the latest members of Team USA to compete in the Olympics or World Cup. Austin is the youngest member of the team and the only player between the rookie class and college phenom and defending national champion Aaliyah Boston to succeed.
The USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee selected the roster, chaired by Connecticut Sun President Jen Rizzotti.
“We’re in a bit of a transition period,” Stewart said. “But this gives us an opportunity for young players to come in and show what they have and help take USA Basketball to the next level, and we understand that everyone wants to beat us.
“No one wants us to win gold. Nevertheless, every time we play, our goal is to win everything.”
God is so great to me 🖤 Made the US World Cup team with my brothers… . Blessed🤍
— Shakira Austin✨ (@Theylove_kira) September 20, 2022
Boston, Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Rhyne Howard, NaLyssa Smith and Jackie Young are among the most important finalists on the women’s national team roster.
“We have been eagerly anticipating the 2022 FIBA World Cup and welcome the opportunities and challenges it presents as we compete against the best teams in the world,” said 2021-24 national team coach Cheryl Reeve in a press release. “The United States roster includes some of the brightest stars of our game, and I am excited to lead this team as they aim to win their fourth consecutive World Cup. “I would like to thank everyone who participated in our highly competitive training camp and I look forward to working with many of them in the future.”
The Women’s World Cup runs from September 22 to October. One in Sydney. Team USA opens its group stage match against Belgium on Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET.
