Team USA fans were given quite the shock when it was announced that A’ja Wilson was dropping out of the USA roster merely a few days prior to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Kelsey Plum has also dropped out, but that decision was met with more grace, given that she’s suffering from a lingering lower leg injury. When speaking about the replacement of the two All-NBA talents on the Team USA roster, head coach Kara Lawson revealed details about her interactions with them.
Kara Lawson Reveals How Team USA Is Adjusting to A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum’s Absence
The announcement that Wilson was dropping out of Team USA didn’t come from her. Rather, the team announced that she and Plum would be replaced by Washington Mystics All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.
So, it’s unclear what Wilson’s side of the story is. Amid this slight debacle, Coach Lawson has spoken about what transpired.
“I didn’t have any conversation with A’ja,” she said. “I think that was more with Birdie (Sue Bird). So, there wasn’t – I don’t have a timeline. Both of them have been great players for us and I’ll miss being around them but ultimately, we’ve moved on.”
“We’ve got to focus and prepare for this tournament with the 12 players that are here. We wish them both a speedy recovery with what they’re dealing with and we don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves and how we’re going to develop our chemistry in the short lead-up.”
The full quote from Kara Lawson of A’Ja Wilson & Kelsey Plum’s late injury withdrawing from USA’s FIBA Women’s World Cup team.
“I didn’t have any conversation with A’Ja. That was more with more with Birdie (Sue Bird).”
🎥 @TWDTV1https://t.co/WOOnIqzlca pic.twitter.com/nSndh1Alob
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (BlueSky too now) (@sluggahjells) September 1, 2026
Iriafen and Citron are welcome additions to the core group as they’ve proven their versatility on both ends of the floor. Iriafen, in particular, may have to carry a bit more of the load given that Team USA’s frontcourt took a hit with Wilson and Plum bowing out.
Lawson wishing “both” of them a “speedy recovery” implies that Wilson was replaced on the team due to an injury.
Wilson did play in the Las Vegas Aces’ final game before the season was suspended for the FIBA World Cup. She dropped 27 points on 10-17 shooting from the field against the Toronto Tempo on August 28.
She did pop up on an injury report in August due to back issues, but ended up fighting through and suiting up.
It can be hypothesized that it’s the same back issue that led Wilson to drop out of the roster.
She’s missed merely three games for the Aces this season while averaging 32 minutes a game. With the Playoffs starting on September 27 and the Aces firmly in position to compete for a title, playing an entire international tournament probably wasn’t on the cards for the MVP frontrunner.
While Wilson and Plum aren’t available for international play, they’ll most probably be rooting from home. Team USA starts off the tournament on September 4 against China in Group D at 8/8:15 AM (ET).
