When dominance is the expectation, everything attracts extra scrutiny.
That promises to be the fate of Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Who’s playing? And how much? And with who? And when? The excess of elite talent adds extra weight to every decision made by head coach Kara Lawson and her staff, even if the Americans cruise to double-digit victories.
Despite the increasing talent of other national teams, along with the absence of the GOAT for Team USA, I still expect the Americans to triumph
without too much trouble, extending their streak of 30-straight World Cup wins as they capture gold.
Lawson, however, has appropriate fear of the task ahead, speaking in a virtual press conference on Tuesday:
I think there’s no question that the world is improving at a rapid rate. It’s so exciting to see, and I see it at every level. There’s more depth to the teams at the World Cup. Now when you look at rosters, there’s a number of just high-quality players. … I think it’s going to be the most difficult World Cup to win that we’ve had because of that.
She added:
It should be hard to win. It’s a World Cup.
It’s the best teams, and it’s a tough schedule, and it’s short. … Every team’s job is to try and win this, and so we’re hungry and we’re focused on trying to put our best performances on display and see if we can get the job done.
Amongst all the stresses and pressures around Team USA, let’s have some fun and loft some light-hearted predictions about what’s going to happen as the Americans complete their march toward gold.
Here are my three fun and frivolous predictions. Jump in the comments to give your takes.
Team USA is literally Unrivaled
One of the joys of watching Team USA is all the connections within possible lineups combinations.
There’s current teammates or former teammates or coulda-been teammates reunited in red, white and blue. Then, there’s former or current rivals, such as Huskies and Gamecocks and Irish, filling out out the floor together.
Unrivaled adds another dynamic to the lore behind lineups.
This World Cup squad features three members of the first-ever Unrivaled champions, with Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper and Angel Reese of 2025 winners Rose. I hope to see the Rosebuds get the opportunity to take the floor together in Berlin. Unfortunately, Kelsey Plum’s absence will prevent her from reviving the incredible two-woman connection she established with Aliyah Boston as members of Phantom BC during the 2026 season. Although, both members of the Phantom frontcourt are now in Berlin, inviting the potential of a pairing of Boston and Kiki Iriafen (more on the below).
Otherwise, Unrivaled has balanced representation across Team USA, with every club represented by at least one player: Breanna Stewart (Mist), Napheesa Collier (Lunar Owls), Jackie Young (Laces), Rhyne Howard (Vinyl), Paige Bueckers (Breeze) and Sonia Citron (Hive).
Bratwurst Bueckers is going to be brilliant
In a video shared to social media, French national team star Gabby Williams indicated she was enjoying Berlin, with the exception of the food.
As Williams is a vegan who is conscious about her diet, it’s not surprising that traditionally heavy German foods don’t appeal to her. However, another former Husky, with vastly different diet preferences, might do just fine with the offering in Berlin.
In a number of interviews over the summer, including her sit down with Team USA managing director Sue Bird on her podcast, Paige Bueckers has broadcasted her love of, and even obsession with, hot dogs. That suggests Paige will be excited to chow down on some authentic bratwurst and other German sausages.
Whereas other highly health-conscious players on Team USA, like Williams, might have trouble adapting their diets, Bueckers should be good to go, and maybe even better than ever, when powered by bratwurst.
I’m expecting some brilliance from a brats-fueled Bueckers.
Let’s be the big, bad Americans
The United States is a global bully, and while that’s usually nothing to be proud of, basketball is one arena where it’s okay.
So, let’s see Team USA lean into their biggest, baddest version.
In recent tournaments, the Americans have not been blessed with great size. Finesse, skill and athleticism, not physicality, have been the American advantages. This iteration of Team USA still has those traits—plus the ability to get physical!
Does any other national want to deal with a three-player frontcourt of Boston, Reese and Iriafen? Boston is the ultimate (complimentary) bully in the paint. Reese is absolutely relentless. And Iriafen likewise irritates with her aggressiveness. That Boston has blossomed as 3-point shooter, while Iriafen can hit from the midrange makes such a frontcourt grouping potentially viable offensively, while Reese is adept at defending away from the basket.
Then, let’s get real funky and run Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier as the jumbo backcourt, employing two players who usually operate from the froncourt but have the skill neccessary to operate from the perimeter—all with an excess of length.
Opponents might escape the clutches of Stewie and Phee only to be greeted by the force of AB, Angel and Kiki!
Considering Lawson has prioritized defense over offense as head coach at Duke, I don’t think it’s too outlandish to think the Americans could roll out some extra-large lineups.
