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In a move that has sent shockwaves through the women’s basketball world, USA Basketball has removed Atalanta dreams center Brittney Griner from its 18-player roster for the upcoming Women’s National Team Camp, set for December 12-14 at Duke University. The decision, announced quietly late yesterday, comes just hours after the full roster was unveiled, spotlighting rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers while initially including the 35-year-old veteran.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and cornerstone of the 2024 Paris squad, was listed alongside fellow Olympians Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Kahleah Copper. Her inclusion symbolized continuity for a program eyeing the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Yet, sources close to the team reveal Griner opted out amid ongoing recovery from a nagging ankle injury sustained during the WNBA Finals. “Brittney’s body needs time,” one insider confided. “She’s prioritizing long-term health over a short camp.”
The 6-foot-9 phenom, who averaged 17.4 points and 7.2 rebounds last season, has been a beacon of resilience since her 2022 Russian detention. Her return to Team USA last summer fueled a dominant gold-medal run, but whispers of fatigue have lingered. This withdrawal echoes her 2015 camp absence during personal challenges, underscoring her selective commitment to international play.
The revamped 17-player lineup now leans heavily on youth. Clark, the Indiana Fever sensation fresh off a groin injury-plagued rookie year, headlines alongside LSU’s Angel Reese and UConn’s Bueckers—each making senior debuts. College standouts like USC’s JuJu Watkins (recovering from an ACL tear) and Stanford’s Kiki Iriafen join returnees Aliyah Boston and Dearica Hamby. Under new head coach Kara Lawson, with assistants Natalie Nakase and Stephanie White, the camp aims to blend experience with next-gen firepower.
Fans are divided. “BG’s the heart of that frontcourt—irreplaceable,” tweeted WNBA analyst @HoopsQueen. Others celebrate the shift: “Time for Brink and Betts to step up.” Sue Bird, the program’s managing director, emphasized evaluation: “This camp is about building depth for global dominance.”
Griner’s absence raises questions: Will she rebound for the World Cup? As Team USA evolves, her legacy endures—a warrior whose off-court battles mirror her on-court ferocity. For now, the Blue Devils’ Cameron Indoor awaits a new era.
