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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson is considered the best player in the WNBA by many, with a resume featuring four Most Valuable Player awards and three championships.
She was originally on the Team USA roster that was selected to play in the FIBA World Cup, but Wilson didn't participate. She and fellow WNBA star Kelsey Plum were replaced ahead of the event by Washington Mystics stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
Some believe that Wilson was a glaring absence who would have made a huge impact on games, especially with her inside presence. Instead, Team USA relied on veterans Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, along with rising young star Angel Reese.
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During a recent team practice, Wilson spoke with reporters about the decision to skip the FIBA World Cup to rest and recover from nagging injuries from the season.
More news: Caitlin Clark Pushes Back on Angel Reese Question After Team USA Wins Gold
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"I don't even think necessarily it was getting ready for the postseason. It was just taking care of my body and what I need to do. This ball's going to stop bouncing eventually and I want to make sure that I at least feel good in that," Wilson said.
"I don't think it was so much getting ready for the playoffs; it was more like, 'I don't feel well,' and if I can't give myself 100%, I feel like I rob not only my teammates but wearing that USA uniform," she said.
Wilson's head coach, Becky Hammon, said she trusted her star player's judgment in her recent decision to recovery rather than play in the FIBA World Cup.
"I know the USA decision weighed heavily on her. I know she wanted to be over there," Hammon told reporters. "I think this bodes well for her and us, but she knows her body better than anybody."
Wilson is leading the league with averages of 26 points and two blocks per game. She's also third in rebounding, averaging 9.4 per game.
Iriafen, a replacement who played on Team USA, averaged four points and 3.8 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game off the bench. The United States recently claimed gold by defeating France in the World Cup Final, 97-79.
With the event concluded, players are back with their respective WNBA teams as games resume this week. Las Vegas will face the Seattle Storm on Thursday evening.
The Aces are 27-13 and third in the WNBA standings as the postseason approaches. With four games left in their season, Las Vegas is just two games behind the Golden State Valkyries for third place.
At the same time, several teams are within reach of the Aces' third spot, should they slip. Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream and Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are both 26-14 and one game behind the Aces for that third spot.
More news: Sophie Cunningham Reveals Why Some WNBA Players Didn’t Like Cathy Engelbert
For more about the WNBA and the FIBA World Cup, visit Newsweek Sports.
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