New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu will not be one of the 12 players representing the U.S. women’s national team at the FIBA World Cup in Berlin next month.The decision, ultimately made by U.S. Basketball’s senior women’s national team managing director Sue Bird, was notable considering Ionescu’s experience and the stage she’s at in her career. Speaking with members of the media for the first time since the roster was announced, Ionescu was hesitant to describe her omission as surprising. She did, however, call it a disappointment.“Disappointed, of course,” Ionescu said. “That’s obviously something I wanted to participate in, but I think it’s just maturity. I understand how difficult it is. I’m excited for a lot of the new faces that get to go and have the opportunity to do the World Cup.”The 12-player roster includes seven first-timers on the World Cup stage in Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese and Jackie Young. Veterans Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson are the returners.Asked about the decision to leave Ionescu off the roster, Bird gave a vague explanation without sharing any details regarding the strategy behind it, like a desire to prioritize a post presence or the value of a veteran guard like Gray on the global stage. Instead, she said she didn’t view it as a reflection of the Olympic and World Cup gold medalist’s talent.