STWFW Sports | COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James will represent the United States for the first time after being selected to the 2026 USA 3×3 Women’s AmeriCup Team, USA Basketball announced Thursday.
James will join Flau’jae Johnson, Aerial Powers and Sydney Taylor on the four-player women’s roster set to compete at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The selection marks James’ USA Basketball debut and gives the Wings guard another opportunity to build on her professional development in a fast-paced international format.
James Earns First USA Basketball Opportunity
James enters the event as the only player on the women’s roster making her first appearance with USA Basketball.
The Dallas guard will be surrounded by a group that brings a mix of WNBA experience and previous international success.
Powers has already competed with the United States during the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, while Taylor has experience from the 2023 and 2024 Women’s Series and the 2023 USA 3×3 Nations League Team.
Johnson also brings championship experience after helping the United States win gold at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
For James, the event provides a new challenge in the 3×3 format, where spacing, quick decision-making, conditioning and versatility take on added importance.
Experienced Coaching Staff Leads Women’s Team
The women’s team will be coached by Christina Batastini, who has built an impressive résumé with USA Basketball’s 3×3 program.
Batastini guided the United States to gold at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Cup and bronze at the 2026 Champions Cup.
She also coached the 2025 AmeriCup team to gold and previously led the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Nations League team to a perfect 22-0 record before winning the 2024 U23 World Cup.
That experience gives James and the rest of the roster a veteran coach who understands both the international stage and the unique demands of 3×3 competition.
U.S. Looking to Defend AmeriCup Crown
The United States enters the tournament as the reigning champion on both the women’s and men’s sides.
The U.S. women have won three AmeriCup gold medals, taking the title in 2021, 2023 and 2025.
On the men’s side, the United States has captured gold in four of the last five editions, winning in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
This year’s men’s roster features Riley Battin, Henry Caruso, Jimmer Fredette and Mitch Hahn.
Fredette will return to national team action for the first time since the 2024 Olympic Games, while Caruso and Hahn bring extensive 3×3 experience and recent AmeriCup success.
Another Step in James’ Development
For the Wings, James’ selection gives the organization another player gaining experience on the international stage.
Competing in 3×3 basketball can sharpen several areas that translate directly to the WNBA, including isolation scoring, defensive versatility, rebounding in space and playing through physical contact.
The opportunity also places James alongside experienced players who have already competed successfully for USA Basketball.
With the AmeriCup beginning Oct. 28, James will now turn her attention to helping the United States defend its title in San Salvador.
For Dallas, her selection adds another offseason milestone for a young guard continuing to expand her game.
