American basketball is set for a significant changing of the guard as a new generation of stars, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, prepares for its first senior national team camp.
A New Era for USA Basketball
The upcoming camp at Duke University from 12 to 14 December will serve as the senior team debut for several high-profile players. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever All-Star, will finally participate after previous invitations during her college career at Iowa were hampered by scheduling conflicts and a groin injury that cut short her last WNBA season.
She will be joined by fellow first-timers Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, and Rickea Jackson. The camp also extends invitations to promising college athletes Lauren Betts of UCLA and JuJu Watkins of Southern California, though Watkins is currently recovering from an ACL injury.
Blending Experience with Fresh Talent
This infusion of new talent will train alongside established Olympic champions. The camp roster includes Paris Olympic gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young.
Further experience comes from Dearica Hamby, a bronze medalist in 3-on-3 basketball at the 2024 Games, and Brioona Jones, who helped secure gold at the 2022 Fiba World Cup. Aliyah Boston will also be present in North Carolina.
Building Towards Future Glory
Leading the camp is coach Kara Lawson, who was appointed by Sue Bird in September. She will be supported by a team of WNBA coaches: Nate Tibbetts of Phoenix, Stephanie White of Indiana, and Natalie Nakase of Golden State.
This gathering is a crucial step in preparing the team for the 2026 Fiba World Cup qualifiers in March. The United States is in a qualifying pool with Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal, and Spain. While the team must participate in these qualifiers, they have already secured their place in the tournament after winning this year's Women's AmeriCup.
The camp represents a pivotal moment for USA Basketball, strategically blending its decorated veterans with the sport's most exciting new prospects to build a squad capable of dominating international competition for years to come.
