United States Successfully Starts FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
The Team USA kicked off its participation in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, defeating Senegal with a resounding score of 110-46. This match marked the debut of several key figures and served as a platform to evaluate the team’s chemistry under the direction of coach Kara Lawson. The match stood out for the presentation of six new members of the national team, including the first picks of the 2024 and 2025 WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, along with the number 7 pick of 2024, Angel Reese. These players joined veterans like Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young. Team USA will play four more games in Puerto Rico. Already qualified for the World Cup, which will be held in September in Germany, Kara Lawson’s team is taking advantage of these matches to strengthen cohesion and adapt to the style of their new coach.Party Keys and Key Questions
The meeting revealed several key points for Team USA on their path through the qualifying tournament.Team Depth: A Strategic Advantage
Lawson emphasized that the rotation used in this first match will not necessarily be the same in future encounters, nor will the starting lineup. In the match against Senegal, Lawson opted for a starting five with experienced players like Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Young.Dearica Hamby started at forward alongside Reese. With the absence of Aliyah Boston, due to an injury, the depth at the forward position is less than at the guard positions. Lawson highlighted his second unit – Clark, Rhyne Howard, Plum, Kiki Iriafen, and Monique Billings – as the group that provided offensive energy. This group entered midway through the first quarter, replacing the five starters.The starting lineup and rotation are going to change. I’m in research mode, looking for chemistry and seeing which combinations work together.
Kara Lawson
We have a very deep roster and it’s a great opportunity to create separation in the game. They did it.
Kara Lawson
Outstanding Debut of the New Players
In addition to Bueckers, Clark, and Reese, Billings, Iriafen, and Rae Burrell also debuted with the national team. Burrell played in the last quarter.Clark and Billings had the most impactful debuts. Clark finished with 17 points and 12 assists, while Billings added 10 points, with 4 of 8 shots and five rebounds. Both played 19 minutes. Reese, the only rookie starter, finished with six points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Bueckers scored nine points, along with four rebounds and three assists in 14 minutes. Her first points came with a three-pointer. With five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Clark, Reese, and Bueckers, three of the brightest young stars in the WNBA, shared the court for the first time, which could be a vision of the future of American basketball.It’s an exciting day when you get to debut with the United States women’s national team. They played well. I don’t think you could tell it was their debut. They came in and had the right level of respect for the game.
Kara Lawson
I am grateful. Every time you wear this shirt, it’s a little different.
Caitlin Clark
How to Consolidate Team Chemistry
Chemistry is always a key factor for Team USA, unlike other national teams, as they don’t spend months playing together before tournaments. Players usually arrive from their offseasons or from their respective WNBA teams. The template representing the United States in Puerto Rico is unique. Eleven of the twelve players competing in Puerto Rico had just played in Unrivaled. Whether teammates or rivals, they believed that time together helped build a faster chemistry on Team USA.Team USA showed good connection in their first game under Lawson’s direction, avoiding obvious misunderstandings. Twenty-eight of the team’s 34 field goals were assisted, and they committed 13 turnovers. Lawson, who took over Team USA in September 2025 and was on the sidelines for the first time, will only coach the first two games of the qualifying tournament before returning to Duke for Selection Sunday.This is the first time this group has played together, but they have played together in different ways, in the WNBA, or in USA or Unrivaled. There is synergy.
Kara Lawson
We don’t have much time together, so every game is super important. We’re not necessarily playing for the score. We’re really focusing on what we need to do to improve and grow as a team.
Kelsey Plum
