A’ja Wilson’s absence from FIBA World Cup questioned by former ESPN anchor

A’ja Wilson was initially set to compete at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, but the WNBA star withdrew from the team recently.

Wilson would have been an excellent asset for the USA, given she is a four-time MVP and has the highest points average of any player in the league right now.

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After her withdrawal, former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn has been asking questions about why A’ja pulled out of the World Cup.

Linda Cohn questions A’ja Wilson not competing at FIBA World Cup

Speaking in a clip posted to her X/Twitter account this week, she asked if the reason Wilson decided not to compete for the USA had anything to do with Caitlin Clark

Cohn said: “So, 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?

“Because let’s face it, Caitlin walks into a building, and the attention follows her. She’s already getting enormous attention in Berlin. Reuters just described her as embracing the global spotlight heading into her World Cup debut.

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“Could A’ja simply not want to deal with that? Could there be some insecurity dare I say?

“Could she be thinking I’m the four time MVP, I’m the best player in the world, why does everything have to be about Caitlin Clark?

“Maybe, maybe she’s thinking about that, or maybe this has absolutely nothing to do with Caitlin Clark.

“But when the specific health issue hasn’t been disclosed, and one of the biggest stars in American basketball decides not to represent team USA, at the last minute, while her biggest MVP competition does show up, people are gonna ask questions. And they are asking them.”