BERLIN (AP) — With the FIBA Women's World Cup on the horizon, the U.S. women's national basketball team is racing against the clock to develop team chemistry ahead of a tournament where anything less than a gold medal is deemed unacceptable.
The competition kicks off on Friday, with the Americans set to face China in one of eight opening games in Berlin. This World Cup marks an important moment for the U.S. as they aim for their fifth consecutive title, a feat that underscores their dominance in women's basketball.
Since arriving in Berlin, the U.S. squad has conducted a few practices, bringing together the 12 players for the first time. The roster features several newcomers, including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, with half of the team poised to make their World Cup debuts. This infusion of young talent adds both excitement and uncertainty as the team seeks to gel quickly.
Despite the lack of extensive practice time, the U.S. team is no stranger to such challenges. Veteran guard Chelsea Gray expressed confidence in the players' ability to adapt, noting, “It’s good to get the group together. It’s a new group. The beneficial thing about us is that even though we haven’t practiced with each other much, we know our games really well because we scout each other every single day (in the WNBA).” She emphasized that the players' familiarity with each other's strengths will aid their rapid adjustment.
This year's World Cup format presents a different challenge than the previous tournament in 2022. With 16 teams competing in Germany, each nation will play only three preliminary round games, a reduction from the five games held in Australia. This change means the U.S. will have fewer opportunities to refine their rotations and build on-court chemistry, although it does provide more rest time between games.
Coach Kara Lawson acknowledged the need for focus during their limited practice sessions, stating, “It’s just more of being really focused and locked in when we do have our time together, and we know that there’s a lot of information to install.” Lawson praised the players for their ability to absorb information quickly during practice, which is crucial given the tight timeline.
If the U.S. secures a top position in their group, which also includes China, the Czech Republic, and Italy, they will benefit from two days off before advancing to the quarterfinals. Gray welcomed the lighter schedule, saying, “It’s less on our bodies honestly, especially with the pause in the WNBA season. I like a little bit of a break.”
This year's World Cup is unique as it follows a two-week pause in the WNBA season, allowing players to focus on international play. Breanna Stewart, a key player who has contributed to the U.S. winning the last three World Cup gold medals, remarked on the differences in this year's setup, highlighting the adjustments the team must make.
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