Team USA HC Kara Lawson has sparked controversy with her bold statement that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will not play in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Her comment didn’t sit well with the WNBA world, attracting plenty of scathing comments.
Kara Lawson’s A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum Comment Raises Eyebrows Across WNBA
Wilson pulled out of the Team USA roster due to lingering back issues.
Plum’s case is even more severe, as she has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season due to a lower-leg and calf injury. Following that, she stepped back from the Team USA roster as well.
Now, Team USA’s World Cup squad is without two of its most seasoned players. Both Wilson and Plum have played a major role for the national team and won FIBA gold medals.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou shared Lawson’s statement on the issue on X:
“Both of them [Kelsey Plum included] obviously have been great players for us, and I’ll miss being around them, but ultimately, we’ve kind of moved on… We don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves.”
The absence of two proven veterans was bound to turn heads. But Lawson’s comment that the team has moved on and is focusing on what’s ahead has the WNBA world fuming.
“Oh damn LMAO she didn’t have to say it like that,” one WNBA observer joked.
Oh damn LMAO she didn’t have to say it like that https://t.co/2tslUgxsnM
— T (@Tearrrrr__) September 1, 2026
“Her tone is somehow 🤔🤧 now I really need France to show the USA flames….the attitude they have towards A’ja stinks,” another X user fumed.
Her tone is somehow 🤔🤧 now I really need France to show the USA flames….the attitude they have towards A’ja stinks. https://t.co/LPO4J8Ru98
— AL Mashego (@al_mashego) September 1, 2026
The backlash against Lawson continued with another pointed reaction.
“Interesting statements from Kara lmao,” a user scoffed.
Interesting statements from Kara lmao https://t.co/KgIFjkNfAs
— Ms. Mamas 🥵 (@_Byarugaba_) September 1, 2026
“Kara Lawson a straight shooter lmao. I understand her, but those comments won’t go over well with the Stans on this app,” one user sarcastically reacted.
Kara Lawson a straight shooter lmao I understand her but those comments won’t go over well with the Stans on this app
Kara said “I said what I said” https://t.co/5vaVpkNSy5
— JBoogz (@JeremyBoogz) September 1, 2026
That said, Lawson and Co. have reached Berlin and held their first practice. As Lawson, the reigning ACC Coach of the Year (2026), has already emphasized, the team is looking ahead to the challenge.
The likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are playing their first FIBA World Cup. Expectations are high for the team to bring home the USA’s fifth straight title, but the challenge is formidable as well.
Lawson, therefore, faces a much tougher task than simply maintaining Team USA’s dominance. With Wilson and Plum no longer part of the squad, the pressure on the younger stars to step up becomes even greater.
Lawson, meanwhile, also acknowledged the rising basketball talent around the world and the depth the teams have brought to this year’s FIBA tournament.
She said the deep rosters across the tournament could make this the toughest World Cup yet, making the path to another gold medal even more challenging for Team USA.
“Now, when you look at rosters, there’s a number of just high-quality players. I think the depth of these rosters is really strong. I think it’s gonna be the most difficult World Cup to win that we’ve had because of that, which is exciting,” Lawson admitted.
Team USA’s first challenge is against China on Friday, Sept. 4.
