USA Basketball 2026 World Cup qualifying team

[cancontent]

USA beat #6 Spain by 14. Paige had 9/2/2 and was a second-best +13. Strangely, Howard was +14, but scoreless. Copper had 20 and was the POG.

Awa Fam had 8/5 in 14 minutes. She's tall and mobile.

The +14 relates to the team's scoring while she was on the court. Her actual efficiency rating is 1, which makes more sense based on her stat line.

 

[cancontent]

A bittersweet recognition for Aaliyah as Canada failed to qualify for world's. She did everything she could late in the game to keep Canada within reach of Australia.

Canada is still struggling with getting over the hump and establishing themselves as a medal contender. More head scratching for Canada Basketball fans as the talent on this team should generate better results than this.

 

[nwhoopfan]

It says 2 former Huskies, but it's actually 3. Whitcomb is a Husky of a different color.

 

[RoadMaster]

 

[Wbbfan1]

USA won most games easily due to their Fire Power. However in their games against Italy and Spain they showed how poor of a defensive team the were. Their on ball defense allowed to many dribble drives to the basket for layups and the occasional foul. Spain would have been in the game if they made the layups they missed. USA definitely had the better basketball players and athletes but Spain played better team basketball. They just didn't have the talent USA has.

Don't know who I would have given MVP to, but I didn't understand Caitlin Clark getting it.

 

[oldude]

USA won most games easily due to their Fire Power. However in their games against Italy and Spain they showed how poor of a defensive team the were. Their on ball defense allowed to many dribble drives to the basket for layups and the occasional foul. Spain would have been in the game if they made the layups they missed. USA definitely had the better basketball players and athletes but Spain played better team basketball. They just didn't have the talent USA has.

Don't know who I would have given MVP to, but I didn't understand Caitlin Clark getting it.

One thing to consider about drives to the basket by USA opponents. A good ball handler can usually get to the basket. But it’s an entirely different story if a shot blocker like Wilson, Boston or Stewie is waiting for you there. Once the world championships and Olympics begin, US Basketball will have their A-team up front.

This tournament was largely an effort by Sue Bird and USA Basketball to take a look at a number of youngsters to see which ones deserve to be promoted to the “senior team” for the big tournaments ahead. Certainly Paige & CC have made the case and perhaps others as well.

 

[browns]

USA won most games easily due to their Fire Power. However in their games against Italy and Spain they showed how poor of a defensive team the were. Their on ball defense allowed to many dribble drives to the basket for layups and the occasional foul. Spain would have been in the game if they made the layups they missed. USA definitely had the better basketball players and athletes but Spain played better team basketball. They just didn't have the talent USA has.

Don't know who I would have given MVP to, but I didn't understand Caitlin Clark getting it.

Clark was the 2nd leading scorer far ahead of anyone in assists per game at 6.4 and led the team in efficiency shooting 52.9% from the field and 40% from the 3 point line and along with teammate Kelsey Plum was on the All Star Five for the tournament

 

[Basingstoke]

Actually, I thought Paige's man to man defense and rotations were spot on virtually all the time.

 

[oldude]

Actually, I thought Paige's man to man defense and rotations were spot on virtually all the time.

Spot on. Paige plays hard every minute of the game for several reasons. She is a fierce competitor that takes pride in everything she does on and off the court, and I’m sure it wasn’t lost on her that this tournament was effectively a “tryout” for the national team that will compete in the World Championships as well as the Olympics.

We all assume that Paige will be the pg on the national team for many years to come. To her credit, Paige is leaving nothing to chance.