COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Former Duke women's basketball star and current WNBA Champion
Chelsea Gray was selected to represent the 2026 USA Basketball Women's National Team at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, set for Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany.
Duke women's basketball head coach
Kara Lawson will lead the team at the World Cup as the USA Women's National Team head coach, while Blue Devil Associate Head Coach
Tia Jackson will serve as a scout.
"It's great to have a team and to have a roster," Lawson said. "It's been a long process to whittle it down to 12 players, and I think that speaks to just the talent we have in our country across the board. These 12 have earned it through their play and their consistency. I couldn't be more excited about working with each of them, and I've had good experience with each of them. I think that's what makes it even more special is the relationships that you have, and having worked with them in different capacities I know what they're capable of and I know that this is a group that's ready for the challenges that are ahead."
The 2026 USA Women's National Team includesÂ
Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever),Â
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings),Â
Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever),Â
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx),Â
Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury),Â
Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces),Â
Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream),Â
Kelsey Plum (Phoenix Mercury),Â
Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream),Â
Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty),Â
A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) andÂ
Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).
Gray has extensive experience with USA Basketball, winning gold at the 2020 Olympics, 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup and most recently at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A four-time WNBA Champion, Gray currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces and is averaging 12.7 points and 7.2 assists per game. In her 11th WNBA season, she is a five-time WNBA All-Star and was named the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP.
The team is highlighted by 12 athletes with extensive USA Basketball experience, combining for 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals.The team also features seven players making their World Cup debuts. The USA are seeking their fifth consecutive – and 12th overall – World Cup gold medal.
At the World Cup, the USA are 8-0 all-time vs. China, last defeating the Chinese 83-61 in the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup final. The USA are 1-1 all-time vs. Italy, with this being the first matchup between the two nations since the USA outlasted the Italians 66-64 in 1979. The USA are 2-0 all-time against Czechia with the USA most recently notching an 89-69 win in 2010.Â
The remaining 12 teams are split into three groups. The top team in each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, to be held Sept. 10, while the other eight advancing nations will move to the play-in round on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9. Â
The semifinals are set for Sept. 12 and the final will take place Sept. 13. Â
For more information on the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, clickÂ
here.
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