This month, Team USA Women’s Basketball held a training camp in Durham, North Carolina, gathering some of the top rising stars from the WNBA as the team prepares for upcoming international contests. The camp showcased a clear focus on youth, mixing seasoned veterans with emerging talent in a 17-player roster that featured breakout athletes like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, Veronica Barton of the Golden State Valkyries, and JuJu Watkins of the USC Trojans.
Held over a week at Duke University, the camp combined WNBA experience with newcomers, offering players their first opportunity to compete together at the senior level. USA Basketball Managing Director Sue Bird and Coach Kara Lawson emphasized the importance of developing team depth and identity while exposing players to international playing styles ahead of the qualifying tournament.
During practices and scrimmages, fans witnessed highlights such as interactions between Clark and Reese, which quickly became popular on social media, underscoring the team’s chemistry. Following the camp, Team USA released a video featuring Reese expressing her excitement about playing alongside top talents like Clark, appreciating the experience and the chance to learn from her teammates.
Reese shared, “I’m really grateful to be here with some of the best players… I’m not going to take this moment for granted. I’m very grateful because a lot of people haven’t had this moment. So I’m trying to take a lot from other people, just communication, ball handling.” She added, “Seeing Aliyah (Boston) post up and practicing it shows the game’s growth, and how we can compete in the WNBA, then come back here to aim for one goal: winning a gold medal.”
This training camp is the initial phase in the quest to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, with the final team selection expected to come from this group of invitees. If Reese and Clark make the cut, they will debut for the senior national team in official international competition.
Fan Take: This camp highlights the exciting blend of young talent and veteran leadership shaping the future of Team USA, offering WNBA fans a sneak peek at the next generation of stars. It’s a promising sign for the sport’s growth, as these players bring fresh energy and skill to the international stage, potentially elevating women’s basketball worldwide.
