COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - A new chapter may be starting after the reigning FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup champions, USA, named Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers to their first senior training camps.
They were both part of an 18-strong list of players who will participate in the gathering at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina between December 12 and 14.
The clamour from fans for Clark in particular to be ultimately handed a place on the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 roster for Berlin next year will be intense. And, her phenomenal talent is likely to be able to deliver against expectation in the FIBA international stage.
Similarly, Bueckers could be another baller ready to pick up the backcourt baton and take USA into a new era under the reign of recently installed head coach, Kara Lawson.
Certainly there's no doubt that the presence of both ballers would elevate the World Cup hype to new levels - not least because of the near 7 million combined followers on Instgram alone.
A total of 10 players will make their senior national team camp debuts, with Clark and Bueckers joined by Lauren Betts, Cameron Brink, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese and JuJu Watkins.
While a first camp, the quintet of Betts, Boston, Burton, Jackson and Reese have all previously competed on the senior tournament stage in FIBA Women's AmeriCup.
As well as the newer faces, USA have also included no fewer than six gold medalists from Paris 2024 in the shape of Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young - while Dearica Hamby won a 3x3 bronze medal in the French capital.
The list is rounded out by Aliyah Boston and also Brionna Jones who was crowned a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2022 winner.
Meanwhile with some headliners such as A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart not included, it furher underlines just how fierce competition is to make the final roster.
Fans will get a better idea of who's truly in the frame when USA Women’s National Team Managing Director, Sue Bird evalutes the players and has the decisive say ahead of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments in March in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Even if USA's ticket is already secured for Berlin, they will use the competition and games against Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Senegal as a platform for the contenders to make their case for inclusion for the main event in Germany next September.
If selected, all eyes will be transfixed on Clark and Bueckers as the pair try to show they can be the the driving force of the new generation looking to continue the USA's incredible legacy.
And, that means USA successfully defending their FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup crown and wrapping up what would be an amazing fifth title in a row at the big show.
FIBA