Despite a stellar WNBA season where she is one of the frontrunners to win the MVP award, it seems like Kelsey Mitchell is still not on the radar for Team USA.

The 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA World Cup is officially out, a list that includes the likes of Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and more.

Still, Mitchell has gone toe-to-toe with such stars in performances throughout the last two seasons, yet there seems to be no place for her. It is quite a hard decision to understand for fans, and even some analysts.

“The one that was hardest for me to understand was Kelsey Mitchell. I wasn’t expecting it because you look at the names who have been part of USA basketball since Sue Bird took over, and she’s just not there,” said analyst Sabreena Merchant on the No Offseason podcast on August 7.

Mitchell was the reason Indiana made a surprisingly deep playoff run last season, without having Clark by her side, who was sidelined with an injury.

This season is no different, as Mitchell leads the team in minutes and scoring, averaging over 24.1 points per game on an uber-efficient 50.4% from the field and 43.9% from three.

Her efforts have been recognized league-wide this year, being named an All-Star as well as receiving her first Eastern Conference Player of the Month honor, and she is a reigning All-WNBA first-team player.

Regardless, Team USA went with Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard, and Jackie Young for the guard room.

Apart from Mitchell, there have also been conversations surrounding whether rookie Olivia Miles should have been a part of the roster as well.

Olivia Miles Not Selected for the Team USA Roster

Drafted second overall by the Minnesota Lynx, Olivia Miles has turned her rookie season into a pure highlight reel.

Her court vision and flashy passing translated immediately to the pros, dropping 30-point games and flirting with triple-doubles as one of the WNBA's most exciting young stars.

Miles has all but sealed the Rookie of the Year honor this season and is on course with experienced WNBA stars in the MVP race. Still, that is not enough to land her a spot on the Team USA roster.

"As far as Olivia goes, she's played with USA basketball before," national team managing director Sue Bird said. "She will undoubtedly be in the mix for teams in the future."

While Team USA already has a stacked roster to win its fifth consecutive World Cup, it would have been another feather in the cap for Miles to represent the country at the biggest international stage in her debut season.

So, do you think Kelsey Mitchell and Olivia Miles should have been added to the Team USA roster? If so, who would you replace? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy