Predicting Team USA's World Cup starting lineup: Will Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers come off the bench?
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Team USA's chances of winning a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup gold were impacted by the withdrawal of key players A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum due to health concerns, with Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron named as their replacements.
- Wilson, a leading scorer and consistent gold medalist since 2018, is likely sidelined due to fatigue, while Plum has been limited by a lower leg injury and will not play again this WNBA season.
- The starting lineup locks include Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young, with Stewart being the most decorated player and Collier returning from offseason surgery to provide versatility in the frontcourt.
- The main uncertainty lies at the point guard position, with Chelsea Gray's experience and leadership favored by coach Kara Lawson over younger stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, despite their superior current performance.
- For the fifth starting spot, options include going big with Aliyah Boston or Angel Reese to add size and rebounding, adding another wing like Rhyne Howard for defense and shooting, or going small with more pace and shooting, though Lawson tends to prioritize defense.
