Elena Delle Donne named to final Team USA roster for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

USA Basketball announced its final 12-woman roster for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup which will be held in Spain from September 22 to 30. Of the 12 players on the roster, Elena Delle Donne was named to the team. Below is a list of the entire roster:

• Sue Bird, G, Storm
• Tina Charles, C, Liberty
• Layshia Clarendon, G, Sun
• Elena Delle Donne, F, Mystics
• Brittney Griner, C, Mercury
• Jewell Loyd, G, Storm
• Nneka Ogwumike, F, Sparks
• Kelsey Plum, G, Aces
• Breanna Stewart, F, Storm
• Diana Taurasi, G, Mercury
• Morgan Tuck, F, Sun
• A’ja Wilson, C, Aces

For Delle Donne, her inclusion on this team is no surprise. She was a member of the 2016 Olympic team that won the Gold Medal and figures to be a major contributor for the Americans.

For the Mystics, however, this is a much bigger deal.

Washington hasn’t seen a player on the USA Basketball women’s national team since the 2000 Olympics when Chamique Holdsclaw and Nikki McCray made it. Really, it’s been 18 years since the Mystics were represented on Team USA! It’s just a sign that times are changing for the Mystics and their reputation as a WNBA franchise for the better.

Delle Donne isn’t the only Mystics player going to the World Cup. Emma Meesseman will also represent Belgium this week after taking last summer off to practice full time with her national team. We will talk a bit more about them in the coming days before the games tip off!