Becky Hammon defends A’ja Wilson over FIBA World Cup absence
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 12:38 PM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon defended A’ja Wilson after the center withdrew from the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup roster. Wilson cited ongoing back issues for her decision to skip the international tournament. Hammon stated that Wilson requires recovery time and criticized the public reaction, noting that male players frequently opt out of national team commitments without similar scrutiny. The controversy intensified after former ESPN analyst Linda Cohn questioned the medical validity of the absence, suggesting it may have been motivated by a desire to avoid the attention surrounding Caitlin Clark. Wilson has managed back pain throughout the 2026 WNBA season, leading to missed games including the Commissioner’s Cup final. The Las Vegas Aces are scheduled to resume play on September 18 against the Seattle Storm.
- •A’ja Wilson withdrew from the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup due to back issues.
- •Becky Hammon stated that Wilson needs rest and criticized the disparate treatment of female athletes.
- •Linda Cohn suggested the absence might be tied to the high profile of Caitlin Clark.
- •The Las Vegas Aces return to the court on September 18 against the Seattle Storm.
- 12:38 PMYahoo Sports — A’ja Wilson’s FIBA World Cup Absence Gets Eye-Opening Reaction From Becky Hammon
"When Team USA announced their squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, the most notable absence in the squad was A’ja Wilson. The Las Vegas Aces Star missed her third appearance in national colors, citing health reasons. Ever since the decision came, the basketball world has been full of criticism. However, Aces head coach [...]
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