{"id":2120674,"date":"2026-08-31T13:21:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T10:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120674"},"modified":"2026-08-31T13:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T10:21:19","slug":"team-usa-loses-two-stars-just-before-the-fiba-world-cup-aja-wilson-and-kelsey-plum-will-not-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120674","title":{"rendered":"Team USA loses two stars just before the FIBA World Cup: A&#8221;ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will not travel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/08\/31\/6a957f3205e25.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ue-c-article\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__header \">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header-content ue-l-article--expand-right-full-from-tablet ue-l-article--expand-right-half-from-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-group\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-container\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker\">WNBA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"ue-c-article__headline js-headline js-headlineb \">Team USA loses two stars just before the FIBA World Cup: A&#8221;ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will not travel<\/h1>\n<p class=\"ue-c-article__standfirst\">The United States makes its debut this Friday against China with two hugely significant absences at the FIBA World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__body\" data-section=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column ue-l-article--minimum-content-from-tablet\">\n<figure class=\"ue-c-article__media ue-c-article__media--image ue-c-article--media-icon-m-from-phablet ue-l-article--expand-left-full-from-tablet ue-c-article__media--main-media\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-img-container ue-l-article--expand-edge-right-until-tablet ue-l-article--expand-edge-left-until-tablet\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" class=\"ue-c-article__image\" alt=\"The United States makes its debut this Friday against China with two hugely significant absences at the FIBA World Cup.\" src=\"https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/uploads\/2026\/08\/31\/6a957f3205e25.png\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption-inner\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-description\">The United States makes its debut this Friday against China with two hugely significant absences at the FIBA World Cup.<\/span><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-source\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-author\">instagram@usabasketball<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar has-avatar ue-c-article__bar--horizontal-from-tablet\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-body\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__byline ue-l-article--grow-from-desktop\" aria-label=\"Redacci\u00f3n:\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__byline-item\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__byline-name\">\n                                NICOLE SOMMA\n                    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__publishdate\" aria-label=\"Fecha de publicaci\u00f3n\"><span>Updated <\/span><time datetime=\"2026-08-31T13:21:19Z\">                            31\/08\/2026<br \/>\n        &#8211;<br \/>\n        <span>08:21<abbr title=\"Central Daylight Time\">CDT<\/abbr><\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-footer\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-google-follow \">\n<div class=\"ue-c-google-follow__container \">\n                Follow MARCA on Google<br \/>\n            <span class=\"ue-c-google-follow__text\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-secondary ue-u-hide-until-tablet ue-l-article--leftcol-width-from-tablet ue-l-article--float-left-from-tablet-no-margin ue-l-article--move-to-leftcol-from-tablet ue-u-sticky-top-80\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools  ue-c-article__share-tools--direction-column js_socialMedia\" aria-label=\"Compartir art\u00edculo en Redes Sociales\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--facebook\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--twitter\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Twitter<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--telegram\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Telegram<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Whatsapp<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--email\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir por Mail<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles ue-l-article--width-1of2-from-mobile ue-l-article--width-1of3-from-desktop ue-l-article--float-right-from-mobile ue-c-article__subtitles--boxed\" aria-label=\"Contenido relacionado\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">TICKETS MARCA <\/span><br \/>\n                    Get the best tickets for sports events and more at Tickets MARCA    <\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">Kansas City Chiefs.\u00a0 <\/span>Taylor Swift&#8217;s new married life hits a snag as football creates tension with Travis Kelce<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__body\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph ue-c-article--first-letter-highlighted\">&#8216;A<strong>A&#8221;ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum<\/strong> will not be able to compete in the tournament due to health issues and are forcing <strong>Team USA<\/strong> to alter its plans when the countdown is already underway.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>The United States <\/strong>announced this Monday the withdrawal of both players, who will be replaced by their Washington teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">Two absences that change the outlook<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The absence of both players shook the start of the women&#8217;s basketball World Cup.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The absence of<strong> A&#8221;ja<\/strong> is especially significant. The <strong>Las Vegas Aces<\/strong> star, a four-time <strong>WNBA MVP<\/strong>, arrived as one of the team&#8217;s leaders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"ue-c-article__media ue-c-article__media--video  video-player\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-img-container ue-l-article--expand-edge-right-until-tablet ue-l-article--expand-edge-left-until-tablet\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-video-responsive ue-c-article__media-video-responsive--16-9\">\n<div id=\"player_65ae35fafde1cb515ba8d051_x9vlqvg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption-inner\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-description\">Angel Reese debuts bold new look during USA Basketball training camp<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">With her selection, <strong>Wilson<\/strong> was chosen as the standout player of the <strong>Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup<\/strong>. The United States loses a gem for the meeting of the best national teams in the world.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__embedded\">\n<blockquote class=\" instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DctCfOTpjUT\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n                        Ver esta publicaci\u00f3n en Instagram\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">During the first part of the season, the player had borne a significant workload and needed time to rest<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">&#8220;In Plum&#8217;s case, she has had a calf injury for a long time, and she has played a large part of the <strong>WNBA<\/strong> season with it without recovering 100%. It is also a hard blow for the national team.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">The unexpected opportunity for Iriafen and Citron<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The story now has two new protagonists. <strong>Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron,<\/strong> teammates in <strong>Washington<\/strong>, will be responsible for filling the spots left by <strong>Wilson and Plum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Both had previously participated in the national team&#8217;s camps, but now the situation is completely different: they will have the chance to be part of the team that will try to defend the historic dominance of<strong> the United States<\/strong> in the World Cups.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">A star-studded team<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The original <strong>Team USA <\/strong>roster had already been announced in early August and was led by names such as<strong> Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese <\/strong>and Wilson herself. Plum was also part of that group of 12 players.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__embedded\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet-lazy\" data-lang=\"es\"><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Now, just days before the debut, the United States will have to face the World Cup without two of its most experienced stars. The objective remains the same: to lift the trophy again. But the road to that fifth consecutive title has just become more complicated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"taboola-art-mid-script\" data-ue-is-premium=\"false\" data-ue-is-basic=\"true\" data-ue-is-mobile=\"false\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__tags-container\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__tags\" aria-label=\"Etiquetado como:\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Caitlin Clark<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Team USA<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">A&#8217;ja Wilson<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Kelsey Plum<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">FIBA World Cup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news \" aria-label=\"Art\u00edculos relacionados\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">WNBA <\/span>Julie Tetart prepares to make WNBA history as draft debate puts Caitlin Clark era under spotlight<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">WNBA <\/span>The impressive mark set by Olivia Miles that left Caitlin Clark behind<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">WNBA <\/span>Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers meet again just six days after neither could settle the score<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-popular-links js-featured-links ue-c-popular-links--closed\">\n<ul class=\"list ue-c-popular-links__list hidden-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-popular-links__list-item \">NBA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-basketball_wnba_n_b300x100_65ae35fafde1cb515ba8d051\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item ue-l-article--grow\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label ue-c-ad--sticky\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-basketball_wnba_n_r_65ae35fafde1cb515ba8d051\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item ue-l-article--grow js-notice-sticky\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label ue-c-ad--sticky\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-basketball_wnba_n_rb_65ae35fafde1cb515ba8d051\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.marca.com\/en\/basketball\/wnba\/2026\/08\/31\/team-usa-loses-two-stars-just-before-the-fiba-world-cup-a-ja-wilson-and-kelsey-plum-will-not-travel.html&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/08\/31\/6a957f3205e25.png&#8221;] WNBA Team USA loses two stars just before the FIBA World Cup: A&#8221;ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will not travel The United States makes its debut this Friday against China with two hugely significant absences at the FIBA World Cup. The United States makes its debut this Friday against China with two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2120674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2120674"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120674\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2120674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2120674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2120674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}