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This week, two of the WNBA’s most prolific players announced they weren’t going to play for Team USA ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Four-time WNBA MVP Aja Wilson and two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum both rejected their offers due to injury. Wilson has battled health and fatigue issues, while Plum will miss not only the international games but also the rest of the WNBA season with a lower-leg injury. Head coach of Team USA and current coach of the Duke Blue Devils women’s team, Kara Lawson, had little to say about the matter, as she is focused on what they have. “we’ve kind of moved on… We don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves.” Damn😭 🎥 @TWDTV1 pic.twitter.com/xBBFbUIxCZ — JMac | Ball Up🏀 (@Gameis_gameLFG) September 1, 2026 “Both of them obviously have been great players for us, um you know I’ll miss being around them. But ultimately, you know, we’ve kinda moved on; we’ve got to focus and prepare for this tournament with the 12 players that are here. We wish them both a speedy recovery with what they’re dealing with, you know, our group, we don’t have time to be worried about who is not here; we’ve got to really focus on ourselves and how we’re going to develop our chemistry in the short lead-up and trying to win,” Lawson said. WNBA fans sided with Lawson, who also revealed that she had no contact with Wilson before hearing she wasn’t going to play, in their responses on social media. “So Aja Wilson didn’t even talk to her coach before deciding to not play for team USA? This is surprising ! Kara Lawson does not sound happy at all!” one person posted on X. “I don’t see anything wrong with A’ja not being there if she isn’t healthy. The issue I have is that she never communicated this with the Head Coach of Team USA. Lawson said she never knew and never talked with A’ja about her not being there. That’s messed up. Playing for your country should be one of the greatest achievements in anyone’s career, you should at least reach out to the coach and let them know what’s going on. Shocked to hear this,” someone else added. “Out of sight and out of mind! Time to get to it!” another fan wrote. Wilson and Plum were replaced on the national team roster by Washington Mystics stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.