USA Basketball Women's highly anticipated AmeriCup 12-player roster was announced on June 20 after trials for the squad wrapped up in Colorado Springs a day prior.
The roster is brimming with intoxicating NCAA talent that will be desperate to convey their ability to perform on the international stage with hopes of aiding their future ambitions to become the next superstar of the WNBA. Who are these stars? And why does it highlight the incredible future that awaits the league?
Two ex-Notre-Dame teammates are ready to star
Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo are two familiar players who will be ready to carry their USA Basketball teammates to AmeriCup glory. Despite leaving Notre Dame fans in awe of their chemistry and link-up play, Miles opted out of the 2025 WNBA draft process and has pledged her allegiance to TCU for the 2026 campaign. That decisions left fans to question if a rift had started to surface between the pair.
However, despite suggestions of issues between the former teammates, any drama seems to have been left in the rear-view mirror as the duo cemented their place on the 12-player roster. The stars led Notre Dame to the top of the Atlantic Coast Division, with a 28-6 overall record and a 16-2 conference record.
On an individual level, both players registered impressive statistics during the 2024-25 campaign. Hidalgo was in electric form during her sophomore year, averaging 23.8 points while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, five rebounds, and 3.6 assists. The five-foot-six guard has displayed her defensive capabilities in high-pressure situations as she recorded 3.7 steals per game in Notre Dame's postseason run to the Sweet 16 - a game in which the Fighting Irish were defeated 71-62 by TCU.
Hidalgo's partner in crime, Olivia Miles, had an equally majestic year, averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. TCU's newest recruit has exhibited exceptional playmaking prowess during her time in the NCAA, establishing the guard as one of the most exciting prospects yet to enter the WNBA draft process and as the perfect partner to Hidalgo.
The AmeriCup roster boasts more than just two talents
Despite the ex-teammates being two of the most intriguing players on the AmeriCup roster, the squad list possesses tremendous strength in depth. Flau'jae Johnson is another star who will be aiming to showcase her WNBA credentials during the upcoming tournament.
The LSU guard is heading into the competition off the back of the best season of her NCAA career so far. Johnson formed a devastating partnership with the Connecticut Sun's rookie forward Aneesah Morrow during her junior year, tallying 18.6 points while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 5.6 rebounds per game. Of course, Morrow will not be taking part in the AmeriCup, although Team USA head coach Kara Lawson will be hoping to manufacture a similar partnership to propel her roster into championship contention.
Madison Booker showed during her sophomore year that she has the intelligence to collaborate with her point guard and become an inevitable threat on a nightly basis. Defenders struggled to develop an effective strategy to contain Booker and prevent her from showing off her offensive prowess. The 20-year-old recorded 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game to establish herself as the Texas Longhorns' primary scoring option.
It cannot be denied that the WNBA is now in its healthiest position in several years to thrive due to the breathtaking talent that is developing in the NCAA system. With more expansion franchises expected to join the league, there has never been a more exciting time to be a fan of the league.
Full 12-player AmeriCup roster:
Raegan Beers, Mikayla Blakes, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks, Joyce Edwards, Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, Flau'jae Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Kennedy Smith, Hannah Stuelke, Grace VanSlooten.