Star studded USA squad ready to shine in Antwerp mission

ANTWERP (Belgium) - Fans heading to the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp are going to see a USA team dripping with star dust after the champions named a powerful candidate list.

 

USA Basketball Women’s National Team Training Camp Roster

#	Name	POS	HT	AGE
7	Ariel Atkins	G	5-7	27
30	Aliyah Boston	F/C	6-5	21
11	Napheesa Collier	F/G	6-1	27
17	Kahleah Copper	F/G	6-1	29
35	Allisha Gray	G	6-0	28
8	Chelsea Gray	G	5-11	31
15	Brittney Griner	C	6-9	33
13	Rhyne Howard	G	6-2	23
6	Sabrina Ionescu	G	5-11	25
14	Betnijah Laney	G/F	6-0	30
4	Jewell Loyd	G	5-10	30
34	Arike Ogunbowale	G	5-8	26
5	Kelsey Plum	G	5-8	29
10	Breanna Stewart	C	6-6	27
12	Diana Taurasi	G	6-0	41
43	Alyssa Thomas	F	6-2	31
9	A’ja Wilson	F	6-5	27
40	Jackie Young	G	6-0	26

 

Announcing 18 names in the squad, the headliners are all on board in a who's-who of the women's game globally - headlined by Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart and A'Ja Wilson who could all be stepping out in Belgium next month. 

Brittney Griner has not played since Tokyo 2020 but is back ready to step out again

A training camp in Brooklyn, New York will take place across February 2-4, with 12 players selected from the pool of 18 ballers who will be in attendance. 

Five-time Olympic champion Taurasi is one of the 11 Olympians who will be present as she makes a return to major tournament action for the first time since Tokyo 2020 - along with Griner. 

 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 MVP A'ja Wilson is on the list

The nine other Olympians are Ariel Atkins, Napheesa Collier,  Allisha Gray, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young.

There are also nine returnees from the team that was crowned FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 winners in Sydney and banked automatic qualification to the Olympic Games in the process. That includes Wilson, who was crowned as MVP of the competition. The other members are Atkins, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney, Alyssa Thomas, Plum and Stewart.

Cheryl Reeve is ready to bring some continuity to the table as USA head coach

The list is rounded out by Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard and Arike Ogunbowale who all have some previous USA Basketball experience.

There is continuity when it comes to the coaching position, with Cheryl Reeve leading the team at the camp and in Antwerp as USA continue making plans to try and snap up a truly staggering  eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

 

 

FIBA