Team USA roster shifts as Wilson, Plum out

USA Basketball will open the FIBA Women's World Cup with a matchup against China, but the roster has been reshaped as A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum miss the tournament for health reasons. Washington Mystics teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron were named as Wilson and Plum’s replacements, bringing frontline presence and versatile wing play. Wilson is resting after a heavy workload, while Plum has been sidelined by a calf injury that will also keep her out for the rest of the WNBA season. The newcomers join a team already leaning on a youthful core including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, alongside Olympic and world-caliber veterans. The U.S. has dominated the World Cup in recent editions, but the absence of two veteran stars will test its depth and cohesion. The opening game against China will offer an early gauge of how the revised roster handles a China squad with a strong front line.