Basketball’s spotlight returns to the USA as the new-generation stars take center stage. As many would have expected, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers will debut for the US contingent at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin next month. But again, the story isn’t so smooth. Because fans have found out a missing piece– one of Indiana Fever’s brightest stars.

To begin with, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou tweeted that USA Basketball unveiled its 12-player squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. The list features Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Jackie Young.

Where is the Fever sensation, Kelsey Mitchell? The 30-year-old guard is currently having an explosive campaign in the WNBA. She is averaging career-highs of 24.0 points, 50.2% field-goal shooting, and 43.7% three-point shooting. Yet, Mitchell did not make it to the FIBA World Cup team.

CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney recently had an explanation for the Indiana Fever star’s fate. “Kelsey Mitchell, for example, is playing as well as any American guard right now, but she’s never been on the roster for a major 5×5 international tournament,” Maloney wrote. “And wasn’t a part of the most recent Team USA training camp. It’s extremely unlikely she’s on the World Cup squad as a result.”

Well, Maloney’s predictions, or rather, analysis, have turned into reality. While fans had hoped to see an Indiana Fever reunion at the World Cup, unfortunately that won’t be happening. Moreover, fans just cannot understand why and how the selection committee missed out on Kelsey Mitchell.

WNBA fans are not happy with Kelsey Mitchell’s absence from the World Cup squad

“Copper/Plum over Kelsey Mitchell?” someone commented on X. If you compare Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper’s 2026 WNBA stats with that of Kelsey Mitchell’s this season, it won’t be a surprise that the fans are asking such questions.

Plum is averaging 23.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, and 6.1 apg. Meanwhile, Cooper is averaging 21.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 1.9 apg. On the other hand, the Indiana Fever star is averaging 24.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, and 2.7 apg.

Now, one of the fans wrote, “Can someone explain to me like I’m 5 how Kelsey Mitchell and Olivia Miles not on this team? Maybe it’s just something I’m missing or don’t understand cause ain’t no way!”

Even the Minnesota Lynx star did not get a spot in the US squad. And fans aren’t happy about it.

Another comment read, “No AT, hahahahhahahaha, lets go. No Mitchell (probably the purist scorer in the league) is a choice though.” Looks like fans (could be Indiana Fever fans) are happy that Alyssa Thomas didn’t make the list. However, Mitchell’s absence is questionable, to say the least.

Meanwhile, someone else wrote, “Caitlin Clark made it obviously. Kelsey Mitchell was snubbed, as Chelsea Gray has no business being on this team. The WNBA has a nepotism problem.”

Lastly, keeping up with the sentiments, a fan commented: “I would add Olivia Miles, Kelsey Mitchell, and Sabrina. Remove Angel, Gray, and Napheesa, who is still recovering.”

It is indeed a great day for the FIBA World Cup debutants and veterans. However, Kelsey Mitchell, Sabrina Ionescu, and Olivia Miles’ absence isn’t sitting well with the fans.