Kelsey Mitchell's Team USA omission questioned despite strong WNBA season

Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever, a top scorer in the WNBA, will not participate in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup after being overlooked for the team. Analyst Sabreena Merchant expressed confusion about Mitchell’s exclusion, emphasizing her strong performance over the last two seasons, including a notable postseason run in 2025. Despite averaging over 24 points per game this season and receiving All-Star recognition, her role as a scoring guard seemingly duplicates that of more experienced players on the roster. Mitchell has previously represented the U.S. at various international competitions but will watch from the sidelines as her teammates Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston take the court for Team USA.

• 4:58 AMYahoo Sports — “Hardest for Me to Understand”: WNBA Analyst Questions Kelsey Mitchell’s Team USA Snub Despite Fever Star’s Strong Form