Angel Reese Backs Team USA’s Young Stars for 2026 World

Let's be real - when the final 12 was announced and Angel Reese's name wasn't on it, the internet nearly melted down. The Chicago Sky superstar just wrapped a season where she led the WNBA in rebounds for the third straight year (13.1 boards per game, we see you), and she was sitting at home? The discourse was loud. Stephen A. Smith was yelling. Columnists were typing. Coach Cheryl Reeve had answers to give.

But here's the thing about Angel: she took the high road and made it her own personal expressway. On August 28, she hit X with nothing but love for the squad that is heading to Berlin - specifically shouting out the new wave: Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, and Paige Bueckers. "Biggest cheerleader" energy. Full stop.

Of course, Angel being Angel, she wasn't about to let the disrespect slide entirely. On her Unapologetically Angel podcast (Sept 1), she made it crystal clear: "I back the 12 who are going. I support JuJu and Paige. I do not support the disrespect to my rebounding." That's the duality we've come to love - team player first, but never forgetting her own greatness. And with a "2028 is our year" promise already on the books, she's playing the long game while staying locked in on the present.

She's not just talking the talk from her couch, either. Reese will be in Berlin physically, serving as a guest analyst for FIBA's official broadcast partner (DAZN) for the opener against Belgium on September 4. She said she'd be the biggest cheerleader - and she meant it, courtside with a microphone.

📊 13.1 rebounds per game for the third straight season - Angel Reese led the WNBA in boards again, making her omission from the World Cup roster the hottest debate in women's hoops.

A Roster Built Different: Clark, Watkins, and Bueckers Are the Future (And the Present)

Let's talk about the "young stars" Angel is backing, because this trio has been absolutely cooking. The send-off series was essentially a coming-out party for the next era of USA Basketball:

• Caitlin Clark dropped 9 assists in the Australia game alone, running the offense like a seasoned maestro. She's not just a shooter anymore - she's the engine.
• JuJu Watkins put up a scorching 18.5 PPG average across all three exhibition games, looking every bit the future of the game. She's been fearless, aggressive, and exactly what this team needs.
• Paige Bueckers has been the steadying force, the connective tissue that makes everything click. Her two-way presence has coaches and fans alike grinning.

The exhibition gauntlet was a statement: 98 - 62 over Nigeria, 85 - 71 over Australia, 91 - 58 over Canada. That's not just winning - that's domination with a message. The young backcourt Angel hyped up is averaging numbers that would make any veteran nervous about their spot.

There's also the Alyssa Thomas wrist sprain (day-to-day as of Sept 2) to monitor, but Angel's IG story said it best: "The best young backcourt in the world to carry the load." No panic. No worry. Just pure confidence in the next generation.

Let's be honest about the elephant in the room, though: this team features only two true centers in Brittney Griner and A'ja Wilson. Reese's rebounding dominance would've been a massive luxury - and plenty of talking heads have pointed that out. But the coaching staff made their choice, and the young guns have responded with performances that justify the faith.

📊 JuJu Watkins averaged 18.5 PPG across all three exhibitions - The USC superstar came ready for the world stage, cementing her place in the starting conversation.