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Any young athlete, at some point in their formative years, dreams of being on the world’s stage, representing their country before a global audience and playing for something much larger. And of course, to win in the end.
Angel Reese might have her chance at representing Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Women’s Cup in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to 13.
Before that, Reese and Team USA, led by Duke coach Kara Lawson, will take part in the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers from March 11 to 17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The team will be comprised of veteran national team players such as Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, as well as the newbies of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen and Reese.
Reese, who comes with a multitude of honors—including the 2023 NCAA championship with LSU, two WNBA All-Star selections, two WNBA rebounding titles and a brand that is growing by the minute—holds this honor near and dear.
But given the magnitude of what it means, Reese is taking it all in stride.
“I think it’s really an honor more than anything to be able to play for the U.S,” Reese said to Swish Appeal. “And being able to know this is a lifelong dream for me.”
Reese also is gunning for a spot on the team in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, in which the new generation will be expected to continue one of the greatest dynasties in sports. Team USA has won every gold medal at every Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta. Reese looks forward to the challenge of continuing that tradition, while adding a new dynamic, sharing:
Just steps to 2028.
I mean, that’s a big goal for me. So just continuing to take these small steps and continue to learn and grow. I know Kara’s new system has been amazing so far, what she did with the other, the younger team last year. So just continuing to build those relationships with her, with Sue (Bird) and all the other players that are here is something that’s important right now.
Over the years, Team USA has catapulted some of the greatest players to extraordinary heights. Among them are Lynette Woodard, Nancy Lieberman, Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Seimone Augustus, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson.
When asked, Reese doesn’t necessarily point to a single player to emulate, but rather celebrates the history and present-day players as a whole, emphasizing:
I think just all the players.
I think obviously my position is the 4-5 position. And I think everybody in the 4-5 position has made their niche of what they do and want to bring to the USA Basketball. Everybody’s not going to be able to score 20. So just being able to come in here and find my niche of what I can do specifically that I can impart ways for everyone else that I know that I can always bring to the table is going to be a big part of my life.
Team USA’s first game in San Juan will be on Wednesday, March 11, against Senegal.
