A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will not be on the floor when Team USA opens the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup against China this Friday in Berlin.
USA Basketball announced Monday that both players withdrew from the tournament for health reasons. Plum is dealing with a lower-leg injury that ended her WNBA season early, while Wilson reportedly withdrew amid health concerns and a lingering back injury.
Jason Whitlock Sparks Backlash Over A’ja Wilson MVP Theory After FIBA World Cup Withdrawal
The decision predictably ignited the sports media landscape. Commentator Jason Whitlock seized on the withdrawal to launch a conspiracy theory involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
Whitlock accused Wilson of trying to avoid the pressure of leading the team. He expanded on his theory during his recent broadcast, suggesting the reigning WNBA Finals MVP wants Clark to carry the burden of expectations alone.
“Most people are not buying the back injury,” Whitlock claimed. “This is not rest, this is a no-win she refused to enter. In recent months, internet influencers have mounted a propaganda campaign that Caitlin Clark is the real MVP.”
A’ja Wilson is sitting out the Women’s Basketball World Cup because she will get all the blame if Team USA loses and none of the praise if they win. pic.twitter.com/InFFkWpWrm
— Jason Whitlock (@jasonwhitlock) September 1, 2026
Whitlock claimed Wilson made a calculated business decision to protect her legacy. He noted that Wilson is intentionally stepping aside and daring Clark to prove her worth on the international stage.
“This is a high-risk bet,” Whitlock said. “Clark just might do it. She might do it and lead Team USA to the title and completely reimagine the MVP race.”
Fans, however, did not take the analyst’s bold theory lightly and reacted to the accusations.
“Stop spreading hate and division,” one user wrote.
Stop spreading hate and division
— Jacqueline Marie 🦋🦋🦋 (@cincygirl314) September 1, 2026
“She don’t wanna play with the goat,” one user quipped.
“NBA doesn’t even send its best players they haven’t taken it seriously,” a fan posted.
NBA doesn’t even send its best players they haven’t taken it seriously
— jeff 🇺🇸 🇨🇺 (@usctrojan43) September 1, 2026
“That’s called cowardice, fear, ducking, shrinking back in the face of challenge, making excuses, lying, lack of courage, poor leadership, poser, scrub… quitter,” another remarked.
Another user claimed that Wilson was merely jealous and agreed with Whitlock that she was not injured:
“Totally jealous that a new and upcoming player is going to take over the throne as one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA very very sad you quit on your country.”
Totally jealous that a new and upcoming player is going to take over the throne as one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA very very sad you quit on your country. Don’t try to tell no one that you’re injured. You played almost a full game right before!!❤️🇺🇸
— Ricky L Davis (@RickyLDavis4) September 2, 2026
“Anyone else smell Whitlock race baiting again!” one user commented.
Another user claimed that it would also have been better for Wilson to play alongside Clark.
“If she would have played and been a good teammate, she couldn’t buy that type of good publicity.”
If she would have played and been a good teammate, she couldn’t buy that type of good publicity.
— Donald Ross (@DonaldRoss85874) September 1, 2026
Team USA head coach Kara Lawson finds herself scrambling to adjust her rotation just days before tipoff.
Lawson admitted Tuesday that she was in the dark about Wilson opting out and revealed that USA Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird handled those front-office discussions.
“I didn’t have any conversation with A’ja,” Lawson told reporters. “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 and trying to win.”
Lawson must now defend a 66-game Olympic and World Cup winning streak without her best interior presence. Clark and Co. will step onto the court to maintain a historic streak dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in the 2006 World Cup.
Their first match will be against a highly motivated Chinese squad seeking revenge for the 2022 World Cup final.
