Becky Hammon defended A'ja Wilson's decision to miss the FIBA Women's World Cup as the Aces star continues dealing with back soreness.
A'ja Wilson came off the Team USA roster for the FIBA Women's World Cup on Aug. 31. Nine days later, after practice in Las Vegas, Aces coach Becky Hammon said the back soreness has not cleared and that some days are worse than others, in an availability reported by USA TODAY's Callie Fin.
"A'ja has every right to do what she feels is best health wise," Hammon told USA TODAY. "And the other thing is, the men do this all the time. Can you name me any of the men's world championship rosters right now? Can you name me any person on there? What I'm saying is, LeBron (James) and those guys - if this was a man making this decision, there would be nothing to say. And that's my problem."
James has played in one FIBA Basketball World Cup. That was 2006, in Japan, and the United States finished with a bronze medal. Stephen Curry played the 2014 tournament and won gold. He has not been back either.
The next men's World Cup runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 12, 2027, in Doha, Qatar. All 32 teams play in one city. Qualifying is underway with 60 national teams still in it. The Americans finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup, which the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia co-hosted, and Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson headlined that roster.
Linda Cohn Questions Wilson's Absence
Wilson played more than 30 minutes in six of her last seven games before the break, and more than 27 in the other. Former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn raised those numbers on her show last week. Hammon had not seen the segment.
"Is there any part of A'ja that didn't want to spend the next couple of weeks watching the World Cup become the Caitlin Clark show?" Cohn said. "Could there be some insecurity, dare I say? ... If Aja Wilson has a back injury, then why did she play over 30 minutes a game in six of her last seven games and over 27 minutes in the other?"
Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., posted a response calling for a retraction.
"Linda Cohn owes A'ja Wilson a public apology and a retraction," King wrote. "What disappointing, delusional, and dangerous commentary targeting a great ambassador and GOAT athlete for the @wnba and for sports. Period."
Wilson's Withdrawal and Return Timeline
USA Basketball announced on Aug. 31 that Wilson and Phoenix guard Kelsey Plum would not play in Berlin. Washington's Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron were added in their place, both making their first major tournament appearance. Phoenix later ruled Plum out for the remainder of the season with a lower leg injury.
Hammon expects Wilson back for the Aces' final four regular-season games, which begin once the WNBA returns from its competition break on Sept. 17.
"For the most part, I think she's able to come out here and compete, and be there for her teammates, which is always her first priority," Hammon explained. "But I'm keeping an eye on her, you know? Even in this downtime."
Wilson landed on the Aces' injury report twice in the week before the announcement with a back issue. She did not miss a game in that stretch, and she played 30 minutes on Friday, Aug. 28, in the Aces' last game before the break. Earlier in the season, a right leg injury cost her the Commissioner's Cup Championship, a 93-85 loss to New York, along with games against Chicago on July 3 and Indiana on July 5.
"She wants to play. I'm not letting her play," Hammon said at the time.
Aces Roster Moves Before the Playoffs
Las Vegas ruled forward NaLyssa Smith out for the remainder of the season on Aug. 27. Two days later the Aces signed 6-foot-7 center Kalani Brown, whom general manager and president Nikki Fargas said would be very impactful immediately.
"I just want to say, there's a lot of pounding that goes on in this league," Fargas said. "And there's a lot of expectations that are placed on these players. (With) the greatness that exists in A'ja at this time, the most important thing is player health. And so as an organization, we want to make sure that we're leading in that way."
Wilson, a four-time MVP, has averaged 26 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 37 games this season. She has also averaged 2.0 blocks.
Las Vegas is 27-13 and holds the third seed. Minnesota is 31-9 and Golden State is 29-11 ahead of the Aces in the bracket. Minnesota added former No. 3 overall pick Aari McDonald this week.
Play resumes Sept. 17. Team USA went 3-0 in group play in Berlin, where the tournament runs through Sept. 13.
