Speaking for the first time since the U.S. roster for next month’s FIBA World Cup was announced, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu expressed her disappointment at being left out of the U.S. women’s national team.
The decision, ultimately made by USA Senior Women’s National Team Executive Director Sue Bird and published on Thursdayit was notable given Ionescu’s experience and stage of his career. Ionescu was hesitant to describe her omission as surprising, even if her Liberty teammate Breanna Stewart did.
“Disappointed, of course,” Ionescu said. “It’s obviously something I wanted to be a part of, but I think it’s just maturity. I understand how hard it is. I’m excited for a lot of new faces that are going to go and have a chance to participate in the World Cup.”
Stewart, who was among 12 players selected for the team, supported Ionescu and expressed confidence that she will wear a Team USA jersey again.
“I’m surprised she was left off the World Cup roster,” Stewart said. “It’s definitely not a good feeling for her. I feel like she’s taking it in a positive way. She talked about, ‘I’m going to use this time to make sure I’m really healthy and ready for our playoffs.’ That is difficult. Team USA, it’s always a tough thing when you have so much talent. But she will lift her head and she will come back.”
The roster features seven World Cup first-timers in Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese and Jackie Young. Returning veterans Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson and Stewart.
Asked about the decision to leave Ionescu off the roster, Bird offered a vague explanation, not sharing details about the strategy behind it, such as the desire to prioritize the spot or value of a veteran guard like Gray on the global stage. Instead, she said she doesn’t see it as a reflection of the Olympic and World Cup gold medalist’s talent.
“There are so many players who have earned the right to be on this team,” Bird said.
Ionescu said what she was told about the decision was roughly the same as what Bird shared during her news conference announcing the roster.
“They are in a difficult position,” Ionescu said. “They have to consider a lot of factors, and I know it’s not easy. For me, it’s (about) staying confident in my abilities, knowing that my goal is to play in LA 2028.”
Ionescu missed the start of the 2026 WNBA season with a left foot injury and then another period with back pain, but was told the selection was not due to her injuries, which limited her to 20 appearances this season. Plum appeared in 15 games this WNBA season due to injury, and Collier only five. Both players made the final roster.
Diana Taurasi, Jewell Loyd, Brittney Griner and Alyssa Thomas are four other players who were part of the 2024 Olympic roster but will not be competing in Berlin. Taurasi announced her retirement last year, while Loyd, Griner and Thomas were not on the roster for the national team’s last two training camps.
Stewart and Howard are the only players on the roster who did not attend national team training camp in December or April. However, Howard was part of the 12-man roster for the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico in March. Ionescu attended the USWNT training camp in April.
Four members of the 2024 Olympic roster did not compete at the 2022 World Championships: Collier, Griner, Taurasi and Young.
Ionescu’s path to the 2028 Olympic roster depends on her availability.
“Whenever I get a chance to represent the U.S., I’ll be there,” Ionescu said. “Whatever camps or whatever is coming up, but I’m just cheering from afar. I’m not a jealous person, or someone who, maybe, you feel like you’ve failed or you’ve not accomplished something, and you go out and get angry and get angry. To me, it’s lifting up the players that made the team.”
