“A Real Threat”: Team USA Has WNBA Analyst Sounding Alarm Over Familiar FIBA World Cup Rival

Team USA for women’s basketball is raring to go with the World Cup kicking off in a few days. Most of the players on the roster have already managed to impress in the WNBA, and fans are excited to see some make their debut on an international stage for the first time in their careers.

The US national women’s basketball team will be hoping to continue wearing the crown, after winning the previous tournament. This time, though, the schedule will match them against several other powerful teams, including Team France, which is known to have a number of incredible icons who have also played in the W.

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Rachel DeMita could not help but highlight this, remarking that Team France surely can be expected to give Team USA a run for their money. The analyst called back to the Paris Olympics during which both the men and women’s basketball teams were matched against France.

“Just today, the French team was also announced for the World Cup. And this is where it gets very interesting because, as we saw in the Paris Olympics, for both the men’s and the women’s final, it was USA versus France… This team is a real threat to the USA, and I think this will be a really great basketball game,”Rachel DeMita said on her Courtside Club podcast.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08PwpT1oA9E&t=264s

Right now, Team France is just one spot behind Team USA in international rankings, with icons like Gabby Williams, Dominique Malonga and others being responsible for how well they have been playing. It looks like the American team will have to give this tournament their all if they plan on retaining the crown.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA forward Angel Reese (5)and Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) react after a play during the first half against the USA Women’s National Team at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA Leaving Out Sophie Cunningham Was Not Well Received

This time, Team USA has a talent-packed roster with a number of popular names being added to the locker room, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and many more. However, one popular name was missing, with Sophie Cunningham not getting her invite for the US national team.

Indiana Fever Lexi Hull (10) is embraced by her Indiana Fever teammates after competing Friday, July 18, 2025, during the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

As soon as the team was announced, many called out this fact, especially since Cunningham is among the most popular ballers in the W right now. At the same time, it was noted that while Cunningham may be rocking in terms of popularity, her numbers don’t add up. Apart from the rare stunning free throw that she produces, she is still a bench player at the end of the day and does not have the numbers to earn a spot in the national team.

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