If you're looking to watch WNBA action, you'll have to wait a few weeks. That's because the league is hitting pause for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, during which 16 countries will play for a chance at gold, silver and bronze medals during a three-week tournament in Berlin, Germany.
Unfortunately for South Carolina fans looking to tune in to see A'ja Wilson win another gold medal in the tournament, that will have to wait until the 2026 Summer Olympics. Team USA announced that Wilson would not be playing for the team due to "health reasons," along with the Sparks' Kelsey Plum:
Breaking: Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson will no longer compete for Team USA at the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup due to health reasons, USA Basketball announced. The Mystics' Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have been named to the roster in their place.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) August 31, 2026
Wilson was previously announced to the roster earlier this month.
Although the Las Vegas star has not dealt with a significant injury this season, the decision could likely be due to her workload with the Aces this year. She leads the WNBA in scoring, averaging 26 points a game. In recent games, she has carried the Aces in scoring, getting 27 points each in wins over the Toronto Tempo last week. She also had 32 in a loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 15.
Wilson has also been playing nearly 30-plus minutes a game since returning from the All-Star break in July. She is also just 38 points away from reaching 1,000 points this season. If she reaches that, it would mark the second time in her career for her, and would make WNBA history again. But of course, there is a chance that Wilson has a legitimate injury concern that has not been made public at this time.
Wilson is the reigning FIBA World Cup, Olympics and WNBA MVP, so she was expected to bring some veteran experience to the team. In her absence, Team USA is adding Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron from the Washington Mystics.
The good news is that there is still a former Gamecock to watch, in Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston.
The team also includes Boston's Fever teammate, Caitlin Clark as well as WNBA stars Nepheesa Collier from the Lynx, Paige Bueckers from the Dallas Wings. Two of Wilson's Aces teammates, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, will now have to play without her. The roster also includes Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese.
The tournament will take place from Sept. 4 with the championship gold medal match set for Sept. 13. The United States has 13 players on the team, representing several WNBA teams, as well as the numerous other players across the league representing their home countries.
For Boston, this marks her first time representing Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.
The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup will take place from Sep. 4-13. The United States has dominated the event in recent years, winning 12 gold medals, including the last five in a row.
When do Boston and the United States play?
The tournament starts with group play before transitioning to knockout elimination rounds. Wilson, Boston and Team USA United will open group play on Sept. 4 against China.
The game will tip off at 8:15 a.m. ET, and will air live on TNT. The game will also live stream on HBO Max.
The U.S. then play Italy on Sept. 6 and Czechia on Sept. 7. The remaining 12 teams will then be split into three groups, with the top team advancing to the quarterfinals starting on Sept. 10. The semifinals will be played on Sept. 12 with the final set for Sunday, Sept. 13.
The United States is one of 16 qualifying teams, joining the likes of host team Germany, Australia, Italy, Spain and France.
Obviously this is a disappointment for Wilson, who was certainly looking forward to representing her home country. Of course, the hope is that there is not a more serious injury issue that she is dealing with. But given how hard she has been pushing this season, she'll get some much-needed rest as she prepares to give her Aces team a deep playoff run this fall.
South Carolina's imprssive non-conferenece schedule will boost Gamecocks' tournament resume
Add us as a preferred source on Google