There have been several theories and narratives brought up to explain A’ja Wilson’s last-minute withdrawal from Team USA’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup roster. One of them, which former ESPN host Linda Cohn appeared to champion, is the fact that Wilson’s exit could be connected to the massive media attention surrounding Caitlin Clark.

Las Vegas Aces star center A’ja Wilson and Phoenix Mercury’s latest add, Kelsey Plum, announced on Monday that they would not participate in this year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup due to injury. The news came as a shock, as Plum has battled a lower-leg injury for most of the 2026 season, but Wilson has…

ESPN's Linda Cohn questions whether A'ja Wilson really skipped FIBA Worlds for her back, or to dodge the Caitlin Clark spotlight.

A’ja Wilson dropped out of Team USA’s final roster days before the squad headed to Berlin for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Health concerns and general fatigue have been cited as the determining factors behind her decision as Wilson prepares for the Las Vegas Aces’ playoff run come Sept.

Salley believes Wilson's skill transcends the traditional comparisons between men's and women's basketball.

Las Vegas Aces superstar A’Ja Wilson has built a reputation as a beast in the WNBA, amassing a record four MVP titles to her name, which simply proves she’s really out of her league. This sentiment has been echoed by former four-time NBA champion John Salley, who thinks Wilson could also dominate in the NBA. [...]

A’ja Wilson claimed Josh Hart would have a tough time getting the ball back if they played one-on-one.

Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton and women’s basketball writer Cassandra Negley break down why the mid-season FIBA World Cup break could impact teams differently — helping banged-up squads rest while potentially creating rust for teams on hot streaks. Catch the full conversation on the “Hoops 360” podcast, and subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

Caitlin Clark faces massive new expectations as the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup approaches. Team USA was originally expected to feature Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson as its primary leader. However, major roster changes occurred when both Wilson and veteran teammate Kelsey Plum officially dropped out of the competition. This sudden development instantly [...]