{"id":260620,"date":"2026-09-01T13:25:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/predicting-team-usa-womens-national-basketball-teams-most-used-5-player-lineup-at-fiba-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T13:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:25:51","slug":"predicting-team-usa-womens-national-basketball-teams-most-used-5-player-lineup-at-fiba-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/predicting-team-usa-womens-national-basketball-teams-most-used-5-player-lineup-at-fiba-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting Team USA Women\u2019s National Basketball Team\u2019s Most Used 5-Player Lineup at FIBA World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"5211996\" data-slug-id=\"2830622\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>With the FIBA Women&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>USA Basketball finalized its 12-player roster, but two-time World Cup gold medalists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/wnba\/aja-wilson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">A&#8217;ja Wilson <\/a>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"WNBA: AUG 28 Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"WNBA: AUG 28 Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/d08d8-17882626112549-1920.jpg?w=640\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>WNBA: AUG 28 Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Caitlin Clark &#8211; Guard <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/wnba\/indiana-fever\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\"> Indiana Fever<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Connecticut Sun v Dallas Wings - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Connecticut Sun v Dallas Wings - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/e9fd6-17882626331425-1920.jpg?w=640\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Connecticut Sun v Dallas Wings &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Paige Bueckers &#8211; Guard <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Las Vegas Aces v Indiana Fever - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1226\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Las Vegas Aces v Indiana Fever - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/8c0b6-17882626662281-1920.jpg?w=640\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201226%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Las Vegas Aces v Indiana Fever &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Chelsea Gray &#8211; Guard <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>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\u20130 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.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Minnesota Lynx v Golden State Valkyries - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Minnesota Lynx v Golden State Valkyries - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/72b0b-17882626843799-1920.jpg?w=640\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Minnesota Lynx v Golden State Valkyries &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Napheesa Collier &#8211; Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/wnba\/minnesota-lynx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Minnesota Lynx<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"Chicago Sky v New York Liberty - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Chicago Sky v New York Liberty - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/09\/cf48a-17882627553114-1920.jpg?w=640\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Chicago Sky v New York Liberty &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Breanna Stewart &#8211; Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\" title=\"like article\"><br \/>\n<img class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" data-lazy=\"\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\" title=\"dislike article\"><br \/>\n<img class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" data-lazy=\"\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Arhaan Raje<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/wnba\/news-predicting-team-usa-women-s-national-basketball-team-s-most-used-5-player-lineup-fiba-world-cup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the FIBA Women&#8217;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, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":260621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6806],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-260620","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gossip"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260620"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260620\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}