With the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup set for Berlin, Germany, players on the Team USA roster are gearing up to win five consecutive gold medals. So, to dominate the court, coach Kara Lawson must figure out which five-player combination gives the U.S. its best shot at another title.
USA Basketball finalized its 12-player roster, but two-time World Cup gold medalists A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were both ruled out for medical reasons right before the team departed for Europe. Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron were confirmed to replace them.
Despite the changes, the squad runs deep with high-profile names. Team USA will play three group-stage games against China, Italy, and Czechia. Here is the projected five-player lineup most likely to carry the Americans into the knockout rounds.
Caitlin Clark – Guard
The Indiana Fever phenom is putting together an MVP-caliber WNBA season. She gives the national team elite perimeter shooting, fast-break transition scoring, and high-speed playmaking while playing over 30 minutes per game.
This marks her first major senior international tournament after her omission from the 2024 Olympic roster. Berlin is her chance to prove her game translates globally, following a qualifying debut where she led the tournament with 6.4 assists and averaged 11.6 points per game.
Paige Bueckers – Guard
The second-year standout is averaging 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this WNBA season. She draws double-teams every time she touches the ball.
Moreover, she brings proven international success to the backcourt, having previously won the FIBA U19 World Cup MVP honor. Her perimeter gravity stabilizes the floor spacing issues created by recent roster adjustments.
Chelsea Gray – Guard
The veteran floor general runs the show as one of only five players returning from the 2022 World Cup title roster. Known for her composure in crunch time, Gray helped Team USA to a perfect 5–0 record in the recent qualifying rounds while averaging 4.8 assists per game. Her extensive international career includes winning gold medals at both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Napheesa Collier – Forward
The Minnesota Lynx forward stabilizes the frontcourt by averaging 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game this WNBA season. Her physical defense, strong rebounding, and mid-range scoring translate well against physical international opponents. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she brings elite championship experience to her FIBA World Cup debut.
Breanna Stewart – Forward
The two-time WNBA MVP controls the paint by averaging 20.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game this season. Stewart holds an unmatched international resume as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a two-time FIBA World Cup MVP. Her interior size and active defense protect the rim, stabilizing the floor when traditional centers rest.
Edited by Arhaan Raje