DURHAM, N.C. —
The U.S. women’s national basketball team is set for a weekend of firsts at their training camp held at Duke University.
This camp marks the initial gathering for new head coach Carla Lawson and managing director Sue Bird. Over the next three days, they will assess 17 athletes in preparation for upcoming competitions. With the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament on the horizon in March and the main tournament scheduled for September, the Americans, who have enjoyed a remarkable eight consecutive gold medals, are kicking off their preparations early.
The roster features a youthful vibe, as 10 players are joining the senior national team for the first time. Notable names among them include Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and UCLA All-American Lauren Betts.
Interestingly, one invitee, JuJu Watkins, will be observing rather than participating. She’ll be soaking in the atmosphere from the sidelines.
Watkins, who is currently a senior at USC and was named women’s college basketball player of the year last season, is recuperating from surgery following an ACL tear sustained during the NCAA Tournament last March. Although sidelined, she holds significant potential for Team USA’s future, having twice earned first-team All-American honors and led the Trojans to consecutive Elite Eight appearances.
“I think exposure is crucial,” Bird mentioned during a recent media session. “Just being around the team helps create a sense of something building. For JuJu, who’s incredibly talented, this experience is beneficial.”
“People pick up so much just by being in that environment. Why not let her be a part of it?”
Watkins, a dynamic 20-year-old guard from Sylmar, California, has represented the U.S. before, although not at the senior level. During the 2022 U17 World Cup, she averaged 13.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and was named MVP while helping the U.S. secure the gold medal.
This weekend in Durham, she’ll reunite with her former USC teammate Kiki Iriafen, also making her senior national team debut. Alongside Clark, Reese, and Bueckers, they are part of what looks like a shift towards youth on the national team.
Bird acknowledged that this cycle of transition isn’t new—older players are stepping aside, while younger athletes are stepping up. However, it feels particularly pronounced this time, as these newcomers have established fanbases and personal brands of their own. For instance, Watkins boasts over 1.2 million Instagram followers and has secured various endorsement deals.
Clark, Reese, and Bueckers share similar profiles, which might suggest that the national team is bound to gain more attention.
Watkins, meanwhile, is projected to return to the court for USC’s 2026-27 season. The Trojans are currently performing well at 7-2 and rank No. 16 in the AP Top 25 despite her absence. After this season, she’ll still have one year of college eligibility left, and being 22 in 2027 means she could also enter the WNBA Draft.
No matter what, Watkins still holds a chance to take the court in Los Angeles in 2028 if she makes the Olympic squad.
