A’ja Wilson’s late withdrawal from Team USA for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup took a bizarre turn after ESPN legend Linda Cohn questioned if the four-time MVP was simply dodging Caitlin Clark’s spotlight.
The speculation didn’t sit well with analyst Seth Davis, who called out Cohn for pushing theories without any real evidence.
Seth Davis Rips Linda Cohn For Claiming A’ja Wilson Skipped World Cup Over Caitlin Clark ‘Insecurity’
The defending champions, Team USA, entered the FIBA World Cup with sky-high expectations, relying on their superstar core to lead the charge toward a fifth consecutive gold medal.
That ambition hit an immediate bump when household names A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum abruptly stepped back from the roster days before tip-off in Berlin. USA Basketball cited health reasons for both exits.
While the team was adjusting, former ESPN anchor Cohn brought drama into the mix.
Though Cohn no longer works at ESPN after a legendary multi-decade run, she remains a well-respected figure in sports broadcasting and has recently taken a keen, outspoken interest in WNBA media.
Rather than accepting the official health reports, Cohn floated a controversial theory that Wilson may be dodging the spotlight.
“Is there any part of A’ja that didn’t want to spend the next couple of weeks watching the World Cup become the Caitlin Clark show?” Cohn speculated. “Could A’ja simply not want to deal with that? Could there be some insecurity, dare I say?”
Cohn added that when health issues keep a star at home while her main rival shows up, people will naturally ask questions.
This hot take didn’t sit well with college basketball analyst Davis, who took to X to call out Cohn.
“Maybe it’s just me, but before you accuse someone of being dishonest, immoral, and unpatriotic, maybe have a little evidence?” Davis wrote, “Or at least go them for comment? I don’t see what’s gained by assuming the worst possible motives for someone’s behavior.”
Maybe it’s just me but before you accuse someone of being dishonest, immoral and unpatriotic, maybe have a little evidence? Or at least go them for comment? I don’t see what’s gained by assuming the worst possible motives for someone’s behavior. https://t.co/8lrSW7ZjBe
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) September 4, 2026
Despite the noise back home, Team USA let their play do the talking on the court. Clark put on an absolute clinic in her FIBA World Cup debut, dropping 14 points and a game-high 11 assists with a team-best +30 plus-minus in a 94-61 win over China.
Team USA didn’t miss a beat without Wilson in the lineup, displaying deep talent that overwhelmed China from start to finish. Kara Lawson’s squad will now turn its focus to back-to-back group games against Italy on Sunday and Czechia on Monday.
