‘No Camaraderie Whatsoever' — Calls Mount for Team USA to Make ‘Serious' Changes in FIBA World Cup

On Sunday, Team USA edged past Italy 55-52. The game was supposed to be a routine one, but turned into a nail-biter, with the Americans shooting just 29 percent from the field while Caitlin Clark finished with only 1 point on 0-for-6 shooting. The win kept the USA's streak alive and sent them to the quarterfinals, but the shaky performance opened the door to a bigger conversation. The official FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup X account revealed that France had broken a three-day-old record by making 22 three-pointers against Nigeria. France's 111-56 victory over Nigeria also fueled comparisons between the two teams, with reactions from the basketball community quickly pouring in. One influencer summed up the frustration bluntly by writing, 'Team USA chemistry STINKS because a lot of these ladies don't like each other and it shows… No camaraderie whatsoever!' That reaction comesafter a moment from Team USA's game against Italy that quickly drew attention online. During the first quarter, Jackie Young was seen taking the ball up the court without passing to her teammates. At one point, Clark, who was running alongside Young, appeared to call for the ball. However, Young continued with possession before an Italian defender eventually knocked the ball away, ending the possession. The sequence became a major talking point after the game, with fans questioning whether Team USA was playing with the necessary chemistry. Some supporters even went further, alleging that Young's reported personal relationship with DiJonai Carrington could be contributing to tension involving Clark. The concerns became louder after another influencer compared the Americans directly with France, 'France plays like a team, and USA plays selfish. That's the only difference. France feels like a team, and USA feels like a collection of talent. I still think the USA is winning gold, but yk.' There is at least a statistical angle behind that criticism. Against Italy, Young was Team USA's leading scorer with 10 points, while the Americans struggled to generate consistent offensive production throughout the game. Meanwhile, France showcased a completely different offensive talent against Nigeria. Gabby Williams led the team with 25 points. The contrast has inevitably raised questions about Team USA's rotations and offensive philosophy. One influencer pointed to the lack of opportunities for younger players, arguing that the coaching staff needs to reconsider how the roster is used. 'Facts, it's a weird blend of old school and the new age… If I'm coaching, I need Paige, CC and Angel playing the majority together,' the influencer wrote. Another reaction took aim at the coaching decisions by commenting, 'Sad thing is once you see it you shouldn't let it on the court as a coach.' Their message was simple. If inconsistencies become apparent during games, the coaching staff must intervene and make adjustments. While most users were busy criticizing Team USA's lack of chemistry, one fan took a different approach, highlighting what the Americans could learn from France's dominant performance. 'France has ELITE talent — young, athletic, fast, and confident two-way players with high ball IQ…. They're not only playing at an incredibly high level, but they have grown their OFFENSE significantly since they last faced the U.S. in the 2024 Olympics. They were just a Gabby Williams toe on the line from taking gold even then…This team will blow the U.S. out by an easy 40 without a serious and immediate change in philosophy,' read part of the user's statement. MORE: 'USA Gotta Wake Up' – Team USA Fans Concerned After France's Historic Win at FIBA World Cup Team USA still has the talent to compete with anyone in the tournament. But as France continues to demonstrate the value of unselfish basketball, the basketball world is increasingly calling for Team USA to make a serious change in philosophy before its chemistry issues become impossible to ignore. This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .