Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers to make Team USA debuts in March

The highly touted trio will join the national team for World Cup qualifying tournament

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, three of the most promising young basketball players in the U.S., will make their senior national team debuts next month when they join the Team USA roster for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The tournament will be held in Puerto Rico from March 11-17, and will also feature other rising stars like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, as well as numerous 2024 Olympic gold medalists.

Why it matters

This is a transitional period for the U.S. women's national basketball team, which has dominated international competition for years. With several veteran players approaching retirement, the inclusion of Clark, Reese and Bueckers represents a changing of the guard and an opportunity for the next generation of American talent to make their mark on the global stage.

The details

Clark, Reese and Bueckers were all named to the 12-player Team USA roster announced on Wednesday. They will be joined by other rising stars like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, as well as numerous players from the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning team. Breanna Stewart will participate in training camp but will not play in the tournament. This will be the first competitive event led by new head coach Kara Lawson, who was appointed in September to lead the national team through the 2028 Olympics.

  • The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament will be held in Puerto Rico from March 11-17.
  • Breanna Stewart will participate in training camp from March 7-8, but will not play in the tournament.

The players

Caitlin Clark

One of the most promising young basketball players in the U.S. and a rising star who will make her senior national team debut.

Angel Reese

Another highly touted young player who will join the national team for the first time.

Paige Bueckers

The third member of the trio of rising stars making their senior national team debuts.

Sonia Citron

A WNBA All-Star during her rookie season in 2025 who was also named to the Team USA roster.

Kiki Iriafen

Another WNBA All-Star in 2025 who will join the national team for the qualifying tournament.

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What they’re saying

“They're really bringing something new to our sport, a kind of excitement, but also fan communities that follow them everywhere they go. And that's great. We have a great generation of young, very talented players coming up, and I'm looking forward to working with them.”

— Kara Lawson, Team USA head coach (cbssports.com)

What’s next

Kara Lawson will depart the tournament at some point to return to Raleigh and prepare for the NCAA Tournament. One of the assistant coaches, Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, or Stephanie White, will take over for the remaining games after Lawson leaves.

The takeaway

The inclusion of Clark, Reese and Bueckers on the Team USA roster represents a changing of the guard for the national team, as the next generation of American basketball talent looks to make their mark on the global stage and potentially lead the U.S. to continued success in international competition.