Angel Reese takes next step toward 2026 World Cup with USA nod
One step closer to her goal.
Sky star Angel Reese was named to USA Basketball’s 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, set for March 11-17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Reese has said making the roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin — scheduled for Sept. 4-13 — tops the list of her basketball priorities this year.
Earning a spot in Puerto Rico doesn’t guarantee Reese a place on the final World Cup roster. The United States already clinched a berth by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, and several national team stars — including A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart — are not competing in San Juan.
Of the 2024 Olympic gold medal team, only Diana Taurasi has retired, meaning there aren’t many open spots.
Still, making the qualifying roster is a meaningful step toward the World Cup.
Reese is among a wave of newcomers making their senior national team debuts, alongside Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, a group Bueckers calls the “Young and Turnt Crew.”
They’ll join 2024 Olympic gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young in San Juan for the qualifiers, along with Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby.
The group was part of a 17-player mini camp in Durham in December that also included two college standouts (Lauren Betts and Juju Watkins).
"I haven't done USA since I was in college, so to be back here to potentially be on the senior national team is really, really important to me," Reese said during the camp. "I've dreamed of playing for the Olympics and especially for L.A. because I want to represent this country well."
The team will be led by Duke head coach Kara Lawson and assisted by WNBA coaches Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie White (Indiana Fever). Lawson will return to Duke before the tournament concludes to prepare for the NCAA Tournament, with an assistant stepping into the lead role for the remaining games.
The U.S. begins play March 11 against Senegal, followed by Puerto Rico (March 12), Italy (March 14), New Zealand (March 15) and Spain (March 17).
USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird selected the roster and will continue evaluating players ahead of final selections for the World Cup. The Americans will seek their fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal and 12th overall in Berlin.
Reese most recently competed for USA Basketball in the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.