Team USA begins its FIBA Basketball World Cup quest for gold on Friday, doing so with a primarily veteran starting lineup. The star-studded roster looks as loaded as ever, and obviously, many fans are excited to see the young additions to the group in the opening group-round matchup against China.
While some fans hoped to see Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's name on Team USA's starting five Friday, head coach Kara Lawson stuck with a group primarily featuring veterans. As the official USA Basketball account on X highlighted, the starting five will include Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young.
First five vs China.#USABWNT x #FIBAWWC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4bJr0Nu0up
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 4, 2026
There's no question that Team USA's starting
five is loaded with talent, and while many wanted to see Clark on the floor with the initial group, USA Today's Meghan Hall noted that Lawson ultimately chose to start with the veterans on Friday.
Team USA lineup looks close to what I thought it would.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) September 4, 2026
Kara Lawson ultimately leaned on the players who have been on the senior national team before.
Chelsea Gray
Jackie Young
Kahleah Copper
Napheesa Collier
Breanna Stewart
Stewart slides over to the 5 with no A'ja Wilson. https://t.co/ArcQaGrabh
As Hall notes, Breanna Stewart will start at center for Team USA following A'ja Wilson's withdrawal from the FIBA World Cup. Wilson and Kelsey Plum were both initially on the roster before backing out due to health issues, as ESPN highlighted. They were replaced by the Washington Mystics' duo, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why isn't Caitlin Clark starting for Team USA vs. China at the FIBA World Cup?
