A'ja Wilson Opens up About Injury Keeping Her From FIBA World Cup

WHO:

Sportskeeda - A'ja Wilson stated, "I just don't feel well," regarding her absence from the FIBA World Cup.

Sportskeeda - A'ja Wilson addressed speculation regarding her absence from the 2026 FIBA World Cup, stating, "I just don't feel well."

sports.yahoo.com - A'ja Wilson stated, "I'm feeling good. I'm feeling right where I need to be physically, I think it's just, it's a mental game."

sports.yahoo.com - Aces head coach Becky Hammon reaffirmed her full support for Wilson's decision regarding the FIBA World Cup.

sports.yahoo.com - A'ja Wilson is a star player for the Las Vegas Aces and a key member of Team USA.

hitc.com - Breanna Stewart won the MVP award at the FIBA World Cup.

sports.yahoo.com - Aces head coach Becky Hammon supported Wilson's decision to sit out the World Cup.

WHAT:

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson acknowledged that she is ready for the final stretch of the WNBA season after missing the World Cup.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson is currently averaging 26.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during the WNBA season.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson has been dealing with "a few nagging injuries" during the WNBA season.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson is in the running for her fifth MVP award.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson is currently averaging 26.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocked shots per game with shooting splits of 52.3% from the field, 39.8% from the three-point line, and 85.9% from the free-throw line.

sports.yahoo.com - A'ja Wilson opted out of the 2026 FIBA World Cup due to injury concerns.

sports.yahoo.com - Team USA won the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, defeating France by 18 points.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson is averaging 26.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocked shots per game during the WNBA season.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson has appeared in 37 games this season, averaging about 35 minutes per game.

WHERE:

sports.yahoo.com - The 2026 FIBA World Cup took place in Berlin, Germany.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson made her announcement at the Las Vegas Aces training facility.

WHEN:

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson pulled out of the FIBA World Cup just days before the tournament began.

sports.yahoo.com - The Aces are set to resume the WNBA season this week.

WHY:

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson emphasized her decision was about "taking care of my body" and not about preparing for the playoffs, stating, "If I can't give myself 100 percent, I feel like I rob, not only my teammates, but wearing that uniform, that USA uniform."

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson emphasized that her decision to sit out was about "taking care of my body" and not about preparing for the playoffs.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson explained her decision to sit out the World Cup was primarily about taking care of her body, stating, "If I can't give myself 100 percent, I feel like I rob, not only my teammates, but wearing that uniform, that USA uniform."

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson cited the need to take care of her body and not feeling 100% as reasons for her absence from the World Cup.

hitc.com - Wilson stated, "This ball is gonna stop bouncing eventually and I want to make sure I at least feel good in that."

HOW:

sports.yahoo.com - Aces head coach Becky Hammon stated that Wilson's decision was in line with her character as a "serial winner."

sports.yahoo.com - Aces head coach Becky Hammon stated that Wilson's decision was in line with her character as a "serial winner."

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson clarified that her choice was not about preparing for the playoffs but rather about her health and well-being.

sports.yahoo.com - Wilson explained that her decision was not primarily about preparing for the playoffs but rather about her health and well-being.

A'ja Wilson has expressed that she is not feeling well, which led to her absence from the FIBA World Cup. However, she is ready for the final stretch of the WNBA season, where she is currently averaging an impressive twenty-six points and nine point four rebounds per game. Wilson emphasized that her decision was about taking care of her body, stating that if she can't give her all, she feels like she is robbing her teammates and the honor of wearing the USA uniform, a sentiment echoed by Aces head coach Becky Hammon, who described her as a "serial winner."