Team USA will not have WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum for the FIBA Women’s World Cup after both players withdraw due to health reasons. Multiple outlets report that their absences remove two of the U.S. roster’s most prominent contributors ahead of the tournament.
News coverage focuses on the impact of the withdrawals and how Team USA will adjust. The Winnipeg Free Press and other outlets describe the team’s loss of “stars,” while several also specify that Wilson and Plum are sidelined by injuries rather than other factors. CBS Sports says Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are expected to replace them, indicating a roster reshuffle. The Athletic adds that Plum will also miss the remainder of the WNBA season, providing extra context on how long her recovery could take.
Across the outlets, the core point is consistent: Team USA enters the World Cup in Berlin this week without Wilson and Plum, with replacement players stepping in while the team manages injury-related absences.
