LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The big three of the Las Vegas Aces have been announced as part of Team USA’s Women’s Basketball roster.
Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young were among the 12 players named to the roster, announced Thursday by USA Basketball. The team was selected by Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.
The team will head to Berlin this fall to compete in the 2026 FIBA World Cup from Sept. 4-13.
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Aces trio returns to defend World Cup title
Gray, Wilson and Young are no strangers to international gold. All three were part of the U.S. team that won gold at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Gray and Wilson also return to defend the 2022 FIBA World Cup title, with Wilson having won MVP honors at that tournament after leading the USA with 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Young will make her FIBA World Cup debut in Berlin.
“Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal,” said Sue Bird. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin.”
The full roster
The complete 12-player roster includes Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Kelsey Plum (Phoenix Mercury), Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).
The roster combines for 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals, 58 WNBA All-Star appearances, 16 WNBA titles and seven WNBA Rookies of the Year. Stewart and Wilson have combined for six WNBA MVP honors.
USA’s path in Berlin
The U.S. opens group play against China on Sept. 4, followed by Italy on Sept. 6 and Czechia on Sept. 7. The USA are 8-0 all-time against China at the World Cup, most recently defeating the Chinese 83-61 in the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup final.
The top team in each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals on Sept. 10. The semifinals are set for Sept. 12 and the final will take place Sept. 13. The USA are seeking their fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup gold medal.
Head coach Kara Lawson of Duke University will lead the team, assisted by Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever).
“These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency,” Lawson said. “I couldn’t be more excited about working with each of them.”
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