LOS ANGELES — The FIBA Women’s World Cup will take place on September 4-13 in Berlin (at which time the WNBA, barring work stoppage, will take a break from their regular season). In the meantime, the 12-woman roster was announced for the upcoming qualifying tournament for the World Cup that will take place in Puerto Rico on March 11-17.
From the Sparks’ press release:
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“The USA, who have already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, bring a mix of veterans and newcomers to the six-team round robin tournament.
The roster features 2024 Olympic gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young. Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard won the 3×3 bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
Plum is a two-time World Cup champion (2022, 2018), while Copper and Gray each have one World Cup title (2022).
Aliyah Boston, who has represented the USA in many junior and senior competitions, will compete for the USA for the first time since the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp, Belgium.
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Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Kiki Iriafen and Angel Reese will make their senior national team competitive debuts.
Boston, Howard and Reese have competed in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, while Boston, Bueckers, Citron, Clark and Howard own gold medals from various junior competitions.
A number of players also feature 3×3 experience, including Olympic medalists Plum (2020, gold), Young (2020, gold), Howard and Hamby. Boston and Bueckers have also represented USA Basketball in 3×3 junior competitions.
Three-time Olympic and World champion Breanna Stewart will join the team in Miami for a pre-competition training camp, set for March 7-8.”
#5 Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks shoots a jumpshot against the Washington Mystics on July 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
Darwin Walker – The Sporting Tribune
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#5 Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks shoots a jumpshot against the Washington Mystics on July 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
This doesn’t mean this is the exact roster that will be going to the World Cup in Berlin later this fall. As noted later in the press release:
“USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird selected the roster and will continue to evaluate players prior to selecting a team for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which will take place from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin. The USA will seek their fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal and 12th overall.”
Currently, both Plum and Hamby are taking part in Unrivaled in Miami. The last day of the three-on-three women’s league will take place on March 4th.
