The New York Post has released its projected 12-player roster for the 2026 U.S. FIBA World Cup team, set to compete in Berlin from September 4-13. The roster announcement is expected to be made by USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird on Thursday during NBC's "Today Show."

This projected roster includes a mix of established stars and promising young talent, with Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers anticipated to secure spots. Breanna Stewart, a veteran leader, is also considered a near lock for the team. The tournament will take place during a break in the WNBA season.

Projected U.S. Roster

The projected roster is divided into guards, wings, and bigs:

Guards: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray. Wings: Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard, Jackie Young. Bigs: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Aliyah Boston.

This lineup is seen as a near replica of the 2024 Olympic team, with Bueckers and Clark potentially replacing Diana Taurasi and Jewell Loyd, and Boston and Howard stepping in for Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Griner. Chelsea Gray, at 33, is the oldest projected player on the squad, while Stewart, Plum, and Copper are 31. Stewart has recently demonstrated a resurgence in her three-point shooting.

Roster Considerations and Potential Snubs

Concerns have been raised regarding the inclusion of players like Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu, who have experienced injuries during the current WNBA season. Ionescu dealt with a foot injury and back soreness early in the season but has shown improved performance, averaging 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in her last nine games. Plum recently returned from a lower left leg injury that kept her sidelined for July, and she is currently third in WNBA scoring at 23.9 points per game over 13 contests.

The decision to include or exclude certain players could be controversial, echoing the public reaction to Caitlin Clark's absence from the 2024 Paris Games roster. Players like Olivia Miles, Angel Reese, and Kiki Iriafen did not make the projected cut. Miles, despite a strong rookie season, has not participated in senior national team activities, which may affect her chances. Reese and Iriafen were part of the U.S. team that won the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico in March but are considered to have ample time to make future rosters.

Alyssa Thomas, a member of the most recent U.S. Olympic team, might be on the outside of this World Cup roster, suggesting a potential shift in the team's composition. An on-court incident earlier this season between Thomas and Clark, where Thomas received a suspension for making contact with Clark's throat, adds another layer of narrative to their potential inclusion on the same team.