Atkins and Austin will be competing in Australia as members of the 2022 USA World Cup Team
SYDNEY – USA Basketball today announced the 2022 USA Women’s World Cup Team, which will compete at the 2022 FIBA World Cup starting Thursday in Sydney (Wednesday in the U.S.). The roster features six athletes who have claimed a combined 12 Olympic (5-on-5, 3×3) and FIBA World Cup (5-on-5) gold medals.
The 2022 USA Women’s World Cup Team includes Ariel Atkins (Washington Mystics), Shakira Austin (Mystics), Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Brionna Jones (Connecticut Sun), Betnijah Laney (Liberty), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Aces), Alyssa Thomas (Sun), Breanna Stewart (Storm) and A’ja Wilson (Aces).
Stewart, the reigning World Cup MVP, will appear in her third consecutive World Cup, while Loyd, Plum and Wilson will play their second after winning gold in 2018. Among those making their World Cup debuts are 2020 Olympians Atkins and Gray, as well as Austin, Copper, Ionescu, Jones, Laney and Thomas.
“We have been eagerly anticipating the 2022 FIBA World Cup and welcome the opportunities and challenges this competition presents as we face the world’s best teams,” said head coach Cheryl Reeve. “The U.S. roster features some of our game’s brightest stars and I’m excited to lead this team with the goal of winning a fourth consecutive World Cup for the USA. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who was part of our highly competitive training camp and hope to work with many of them again in the future.”
The roster was selected by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee.
“On behalf of USA Basketball, I’m thrilled to announce the 2022 USA Women’s World Cup Team,” said USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti. “I want to personally thank each of the athletes who have been part of this process, from those who started at the Las Vegas training camp more than two weeks ago to those boarding flights to Sydney following the WNBA Finals. The commitment these athletes show to their country is unparalleled and I look forward to watching them take the court in Sydney.”
The 2022 FIBA World Cup, featuring 12 of the best national teams in the world, is scheduled for Sept. 22-Oct. 1 in Sydney. Games will be available live on ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN+ (check local listings).
The USA will look to win its fourth consecutive World Cup dating back to 2010. As part of Group A, the U.S. will start play vs. Belgium on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11:30 a.m. AEST/Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9:30 p.m. EDT. For more information, click here.
