Breanna Stewart Makes FIBA World Cup History as Gabby Williams Shines for France

Following a standout tournament at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, French standout Gabby Williams has earned selection to the tournament’s All-Star Five while also capturing the official Best Defender award, as reported by BeBasket. Williams cemented her status as one of the premier two-way players in international basketball during a campaign that carried Les Bleues all the way to the final in Berlin, Germany.

The Berlin Showdown Against Team USA

Gabby Williams set the early tone for Les Bleues, finishing the encounter with 20 points and 7 assists. Teammate Dominique Malonga added 21 points and 6 rebounds, helping France carve out a 45-43 halftime advantage after shooting 57 percent from beyond the arc in the opening twenty minutes.

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Postup.fr detailed how Williams scored 16 of her points in the first half alone, alongside 3 interceptions, causing major disruption for the American defense before intermission. However, Team USA responded with a dominant defensive adjustment after the break, limiting Williams scoreless in the second half and outscoring France 30-12 in a pivotal third quarter on their way to securing the title.

Historic Accolades and Tournament Honors

While the United States ultimately claimed victory, individual honors highlighted standout performances across the global showcase. Alongside Gabby Williams’ recognition as the tournament’s Best Defender and her place in the All-Star Five, American star Breanna Stewart made history by securing her second TISSOT MVP award, becoming the first player to win the honor twice in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup history, according to official FIBA announcements.

Williams entered the latter stages of the tournament widely regarded by international observers as a prime candidate for the individual hardware, as noted by BasketEurope.com, thanks to her relentless full-court pressure and offensive playmaking. Her inclusion in the All-Star Five alongside other global luminaries validates a tournament where she routinely guarded the opposition’s top perimeter threats while shouldering a heavy offensive burden for the French national team.

Next Steps for Les Bleues

With the 2026 World Cup concluded in Berlin, the French national team program will turn its focus toward upcoming continental qualifiers and regional windows governed by FIBA.