WNBA stars were back on the floor, not for the preseason or any charity game, but for Team USA practice camp at Duke University. Big-name rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Cameron Brink were in the building, preparing for the FIBA World Cup Qualifier games.
While the energy was high, watching all WNBA superstars playing together as a unit for the country, one topic that overshadowed the training session was the CBA negotiations.
Nneka Ogwumike led the charge as WNBA players revolt over “disrespectful” CBA offers amid looming lockout. Now the young stars get to share their opinions.
Angel Reese And Caitlin Clark Give Their Opinion On CBA Negotiation
Fans reacted happily to see Clark back on the basketball court after missing most of the 02025 season. The player participated in the whole practice session and looked back to 100% with her movements. Other stars also returned after a short offseason break, making a strong team for the qualifiers.
As the practice session went well, reporters questioned some of the stars on CBA discussions, which is the hot topic at the moment in the league. Reese said, “Everybody’s very intentional about what we want. We’re riding together on everything. So, I’m preparing for a season like everybody else, but it’s really important for us to come to a common ground that we can all agree on. It’s all fair, and everybody benefits from it.”
Caitlin Clark shares her thoughts on state of CBA negotiations, avoiding a lockout, etc. at Duke.
— Shelby Swanson (@shelbymswanson) December 12, 2025
She’s here for USA Basketball Training Camp under HC Kara Lawson, one of 10 players making their first senior national team camp appearance. pic.twitter.com/JWSYC5Bw1Z
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While the Sky forward talked about the common ground between WNBP and WNBA, Clark spoke about fans. Pointing out the possible lockout, the Fever guard said, “That’s what our fans crave — the product on the floor. That’s what the fans want to show up for. So, it’s business, and it’s a negotiation, and there has to be compromise on both sides. And we’re starting to get down to the wire of it.”
Both players were clear on their ideas, looking to see the final signatures on the CBA. Another young superstar, Camron Brink, agreed with them and added that everyone is watching the negotiations closely and preparing for the upcoming season in a normal way.
Talking about the upcoming season, the league will first undergo an expansion draft, which will reshuffle some of the teams with two new teams – Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will select players from the existing franchises.
Angel Reese And Caitlin Clark Will Be Protected Players
Although the CBA negotiations are taking a long time, everyone remains confident of reaching an agreement. So, teams and players are preparing for the same, with media houses also working on their routines – including predictions for WNBA drafts and protected players ahead of the expansion draft.
An ESPN analyst revealed five protected players for the Chicago Sky, including Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. While there was a question mark over Reese’s future with the franchise, Kevin Pelton sees her as a key player for the franchise.
Similarly, the predictions show that the Fever will secure its core – Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell via their right to protect. All the projections indicate that every team can ensure a maximum of five players this season, and interestingly, every player in the USA Training camp is included on the list of protected players.