Angel Reese’s Name Omitted from USA Women’s Basketball Roster Over Back-Injury..

Angel Reese’s Name Omitted from USA Women’s Basketball Roster Over Back-Injury..

In a stunning development for women’s basketball, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese’s name has been conspicuously removed from the USA Women’s Basketball training camp roster, announced on November 25 2025. The omission comes amid ongoing recovery from a nagging back injury that sidelined the 23-year-old All-Star for the latter half of the 2025 WNBA season. Sources close to USA Basketball indicate the decision prioritizes her long-term health, preventing potential setbacks in a grueling international schedule.

Reese, affectionately known as “Bayou Barbie,” erupted onto the WNBA scene with her sophomore campaign, averaging 14.7 points and a league-leading 12.6 rebounds per game across 30 appearances. Despite the Sky’s dismal 10-34 record, her tenacious play earned a second consecutive All-Star nod and shattered records, including the fastest to 500 points and 500 rebounds. However, the back issue—first flaring in August—forced her to miss key games, limiting her to day-to-day status and prompting cautious management by coach Tyler Marsh.

The December 12-14 camp at Duke University, led by Kara Lawson, boasts an elite 18-player lineup blending Olympic gold medalists like Brittney Griner and Kelsey Plum with rising stars such as Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Notably, Clark, sidelined by her own groin injury last season, secures her senior team debut alongside college phenoms Lauren Betts and Juju Watkins. Reese’s exclusion joins other surprises, including MVP A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier, sparking debates on selection criteria.

USA Basketball emphasized that the camp serves as a scouting ground for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Puerto Rico, where the U.S. eyes a fifth straight title. Reese, who contributed to a silver at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup, expressed cryptic optimism on social media with a single-word post: “SOON.” Fans and analysts speculate her recovery timeline aligns with the 2026 WNBA opener in May, but her absence stings for a program valuing depth.

Off the court, Reese’s star power endures. She graced the 2025 Vogue cover and Victoria’s Secret runway, cementing her as a cultural icon. Opting out of Unrivaled’s second season, she’s channeling energy into rehab and brand-building. As the U.S. gears up for global dominance, Reese’s journey underscores the physical toll of elite competition—and the resilience required to rebound.