US stars A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the FIBA Women's World Cup for health reasons and will be replaced by Washington teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Wilson, the four-time WNBA MVP, has shouldered quite a workload in the first part of the season for the Las Vegas Aces and needed a break to rest and get ready for the playoffs. She was voted the most outstanding player of the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 World Cup. She will be sorely missed by the United States.
Plum has been dealing with a calf injury for most of the WNBA season and it still hasn't 100% healed. She was a catalyst in the Paris Games gold-medal contest against France and sparked the Americans to the one-point victory.
According to US head coach Chelsea Gray, Iriafen and Citron, who replace Wilson and Plum, will bring new energy to the team. Both players have performed well in the WNBA this season. Iriafen is a forward for the Washington Mystics, while Citron is a guard. They will represent the US at the World Cup.
The World Cup will be held in Spain this year. The US team will face Spain, Canada, and Japan in their group. Despite the absence of Wilson and Plum, the Americans are considered the main favorites of the World Cup. The roster includes stars like Jewell Loyd, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart.
Wilson's absence could be a major blow to the US team, as she is the team's key forward. However, the coaching staff is confident that Iriafen and Citron can fill the void. Both players are young and talented, and they can prove themselves at the World Cup.
The US team will begin preparations for the World Cup in early September. They will play their first games on September 22. Wilson and Plum will not join the team, but they have wished the team success.
It is worth noting that Wilson is averaging 26.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game this season. Plum is averaging 18.7 points and 5.2 assists. Both are among the best players in the WNBA.
The World Cup will take place from September 22 to October 4. The US team wants to start all games in their group with wins. The players replacing Wilson and Plum will have a great responsibility.