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Brittney Griner is poised to make her return to Team USA for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics.
Griner has been named to a 16-player roster, set to participate in a training camp and a series of exhibition games next month.
The roster, a mix of established stars and rising players, includes some of the most prominent hopefuls for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The final 12-woman team for the Paris Olympics is expected to be unveiled next spring, making this event a significant opportunity for players to showcase their skills.
Griner hasn't played for Team USA in over three years
Griner's most recent involvement with the national team was in the Tokyo Olympic final, where she made history by scoring 30 points, marking the second-highest individual total in U.S. women's Olympic basketball history.
Her remarkable performance contributed to the USA's triumphant 90-75 victory over Japan.
However, Griner faced a tumultuous period following the Olympics.
In February 2022, she was arrested in Russia while traveling to rejoin her Russian club team, facing drug-related charges.
She was later convicted and sentenced to nine years in a Russian jail.
Her absence, along with that of other veteran stars, didn't deter Team USA from winning the world championship last year and securing their spot in the 2024 Paris Games, where they aim for an eighth consecutive Olympic title.
"I'm never going overseas to play again unless I'm representing my country at the Olympics," Griner declared in April before the start of the WNBA season.
Now, at the age of 33, Griner has returned to her WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, this season. She played 31 of the 40 games averaging 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Team USA will feature two rosters for exhibition games
Griner's return is not the only exciting development for USA Basketball.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi will lead the Women's National Team in the pair of exhibition games in November.
On November 5, they will face the Tennessee Lady Vols in Knoxville, followed by a matchup with Duke on November 12.
Alongside the exhibitions, a training camp from November 7 to 9 will be held in Atlanta as the U.S. women aim for their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Notably, some players have faced challenges ahead of the exhibitions.
A'ja Wilson is recovering from an injury, Breanna Stewart is awaiting the birth of her second child, and Chelsea Gray is on the mend from an injured foot.
The remainder of the roster features talented players such as Aliyah Boston, Dearica Hamby, Natasha Howard, and Arike Ogunbowale.
The team will be led by experienced coach Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx, who will oversee both games and training camp.
Supporting her are assistant coaches Mike Thibault of the Mystics and Curt Miller of the Sparks.
Complete roster against Tennessee:
Ariel Atkins, Aliyah Boston, Kahleah Copper, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney, Azurá Stevens, Diana Taurasi, and Jackie Young.
Complete roster against Duke:
Kaleah Copper, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Dearica Hamby, Natasha Howard, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Plym, Azurá Stevens, and Diana Taurasi.