Top 5 Players Shockingly Snubbed Off USA Women Basketball Training Camp Roster ft. A'ja Wilson

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The USA Women Basketball National Team on Monday announced the 18 players who will participate in a training camp at Duke University from Dec. 12-14. The list features Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Dearica Hamby.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and JuJu Watkins will be making their USA Basketball senior national team camp debuts. The camp will also include Brionna Jones, 2023 No. 1 WNBA draft pick Aliyah Boston, Cameron Brink, Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson and Veronica Burton.

USA Women Basketball National Team head coach Kara Lawson of Duke University will lead training camp. She will be assisted by Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts and Fever coach Stephanie White.

The camp is to select a team ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which will take place from Sept. 4-13, 2026 in Berlin. However, some players were omitted from the USA Women’s Basketball team camp roster, with the notable exception being Las Vegas Aces four-time champion A’ja Wilson.

Let’s take a look at the top five players shockingly snubbed from the USA Women Basketball training camp roster.

Napheesa Collier among 5 players left off USA Women Basketball training camp roster

#1. A’ja Wilson

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson being omitted from the training camp list comes as a headline shocker. She’s arguably the best two-way player in the world, a multi-time MVP and the face of USA Women Basketball’s dominance over the past decade.

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas - Source: Getty — A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas – Source: Getty

She’s coming off another elite WNBA season. Wilson was named 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in her career, an award she shared with Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith. She was announced as the 2025 league MVP, becoming the first player in WNBA history to earn the award four times

#2. Breanna Stewart

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart was another shocking omission from the USA Women Basketball camp roster. The two-time MVP might have seen her title defense season falter, but arguably the most decorated modern forward had another outstanding season in New York.

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty - Source: Getty — Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty – Source: Getty

She averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Liberty last season. Stewie remains one of the most efficient scorers in the world, and on her day, she is a matchup nightmare due to her length and shooting.

#3. Napheesa Collier

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is another name omitted from the USA Women Basketball training camp. Collier distinguished herself as an elite two-way forward for the Lynx last season.

Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx watches from the bench - Source: Getty Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks - Source: Getty — Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx watches from the bench – Source: Getty Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks – Source: Getty

Her omission might be due to her recovery from an injury. The two-time Olympic gold medalist suffered a Grade 2 tear of three ligaments in her left ankle and a muscle in her shin during a collision with the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas in Game 3 of a WNBA Semifinals series. She averaged 22.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 3.2 apg for Minnesota last season.

#4. Sabrina Ionescu

New York Liberty star and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Sabrina Ionescu surprisingly didn’t make the cut as well. She is coming off an elite personal season in which she averaged 18.2 ppg, 5.7 apg, and 4.9 rpg, shooting 40.4% from the field and 35% from the 3-point line.

Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty - Source: Getty — Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty – Source: Getty

Her omission will be seen as a missed opportunity for coach Kara Lawson to blend experience with youth. Her experience with Team USA, where she made an invaluable contribution from the bench at Paris, averaging 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 13.2 minutes.

#5. Kelsey Mitchell

Last season was Kelsey Mitchell’s year with the Indiana Fever. As the leading scorer, she stepped up big in the absence of Clark, leading Indiana to its first playoff semifinals since 2015.

Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever - Source: Getty — Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever – Source: Getty

She averaged 20.2 points in the regular season and 23.3 in the playoffs, becoming the second player in league history to total 100 points over their first playoff semifinal appearance.

Notwithstanding, this year’s USA Women Basketball training camp roster features plenty of talent. However, leaving off five of the biggest names and most impactful stars in the sport feels inexplicable.