Former South Carolina women’s basketball superstar Aliyah Boston is one big step closer to representing her country on the world stage again. On Monday, the United States Women’s National Team revealed its list of training camp participants for the 2026 FIBA World Cup, and Boston was named among the 18 elite players vying for a coveted roster spot.
Boston joins a powerhouse group headlined by 15 WNBA standouts and two rising college stars. The professional group includes Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), Angel Reese (Chicago Sky), Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings), Brittney Griner (Atlanta Dream), Brionna Jones (Atlanta Dream), Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks), Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles Sparks), Rickea Jackson (Los Angeles Sparks), Cameron Brink (Los Angeles Sparks), Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces), Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces), Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury), Veronica Burton (Golden State Valkyries), Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) and Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics).
They’ll also be joined by two of college basketball’s brightest young talents: Lauren Betts of UCLA and Juju Watkins of USC.
For Boston, this training camp represents a continuation of her long, decorated history with USA Basketball. The former Gamecock great has already “won virtually every gold medal possible” with junior national teams and added an AmeriCup championship to her resume in 2021. Competing for a World Cup roster spot is the next major milestone in her senior national team journey.
Training camp will take place in Durham, North Carolina, from December 12–14, where USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird will collaborate with Duke head coach Kara Lawson and the national team staff to finalize the roster for the 2026 World Cup.
The United States enters the tournament as the dominant force in women’s basketball, aiming to secure its fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal. South Carolina icon A’ja Wilson was a key part of the 2018 and 2022 championship teams, even claiming World Cup MVP honors in 2022.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany, from September 4–13, setting the stage for another international showcase — and giving Boston a prime opportunity to add yet another gold medal to her legacy.
