A’ja Wilson is officially out of the FIBA Women’s World Cup, and suddenly, Team USA’s quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal just got monumentally tougher. USA Basketball announced Monday that Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the tournament due to health concerns, an absolute gut punch heading into the competition that kicks off this Friday in Berlin, Germany. Team USA hasn’t won a major tournament gold without Wilson since the 2016 Olympics. Talk about a massive void.
The Wilson Effect Is No Joke
Seriously, this isn’t just a big loss; it’s gigantic. A’ja Wilson isn’t just good; she’s a four-time WNBA MVP and widely considered the best player on the planet. This woman carried Team USA in recent major tournaments, leading them in scoring at the 2020 Olympics, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Olympics. Remember that gold medal game in Paris against France? Wilson dropped 21 points, snatched 13 rebounds, and blocked four shots in a one-point nail-biter. That’s the kind of production you just don’t replace overnight. Even as the favorite at -360 odds, losing a player of her caliber means this gold is far from a sure thing now.
Who Steps Up in the Gold Medal Hunt?
Team USA starts its Group D campaign Friday against China, then faces Italy on Sunday, and Czechia on Monday. The knockout stage jumps off on Sept. 8, with quarterfinals on Sept. 10, semifinals on Sept. 12, and the final on Sept. 13. With Wilson gone, every one of these matchups feels a little more precarious. France, at +700, probably feels pretty good about their chances now. China, our first opponent, brings some serious size with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu and 6-foot-9 Han Xu, even with 6-foot-7 Li Yueru out with passport issues. That frontcourt is no joke, and while size alone might not be enough for 40 minutes, it’s definitely a challenge.
Then you’ve got Germany, the host country at +5500. They might be a long shot, but the Sabally sisters put them on the map. Satou Sabally is out with concussion issues, which is a real bummer for them, but Nyara Sabally, Leonie Fiebich, Frieda Bühner, and Luisa Geiselsöder still give them some WNBA talent. Australia also took a hit with Sami Whitcomb ruled out, but you can bet Belgium (+2000) and Spain (+3500) are eyeing this as their moment. Without Wilson, every game is a grind. Can Team USA find that fire and cohesion to push through? We’ll find out Friday when they tip off against China.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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