Team USA opened its FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign in Berlin on Friday with a dominant 94-61 victory over China.
The United States controlled the game from start to finish, building a double-digit lead early and outscoring China in all four quarters on their way to a 33-point win. Team USA assisted on 26 of their 34 field-goals made, and all 12 players scored. Sonia Citron was the last to score with a layup in the final minute.
The United States led 49-29 at halftime. The Americans opened the World Cup clicking on all cylinders, led mainly by its young core. Four players finished in double figures, including Caitlin Clark, who had a double (14 points, 11 assists), Rhyne Howard, who had 14 points, and Paige Bueckers, who scored all 14 of her points in the second half.
Caitlin Clark and the Bench Spark Team USA Against China
Clark Howard Lead Us Rout China Women World Cup
Team USA’s dominance on the world women’s basketball stage continued Friday in Berlin and Caitlin Clark had a lot to do with it. Clark and Paige Bueckers, both making her senior international debut with Team USA, as well as Rhyne Howard each scored 14 points to help lead the Stars and Stripes past China in blowout fashion to kick off their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup play, 94-61. Clark may have come off the bench for head coach Kara Lawson to start his game – Team USA veteran Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young got the nod – but she played the most minutes of any player on the team (25) and made the most of them.
Caitlin Clark doesn’t have to start to make a big impact for Team USA. She made that clear Friday when she came off the bench to lead the Americans to a dominant 94-61 victory over China in their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup opener — a rematch of the gold medal game in the 2022 World Cup. Clark knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, three rebounds and 11 assists in her major tournament debut at the senior level. Her 14 points tied Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard for a game-high, and her 11 assists led the team. Clark’s plus-30 was also a game-high, and she did not turn the ball over once.
I think the 'young and turnt' crew, they did really well. They just kind of took what they wanted. They were the aggressors. They were confident, and they came in when their number was called,
Breanna Stewart said. That's what this team needs. It's like, no matter what your minutes are gonna be, go out and play hard. Nobody's gonna do it for you. We have to do it.
Rhyne Howard, Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark each finished with a game-high 14 points in their World Cup debuts. The trio also combined to knock down eight of Team USA’s 12 3-pointers.
Controlling Zhang Ziyu and China’s Frontcourt Size
Caitlin Clark posts double-double as Team USA opens FIBA
China shot just 35 percent from two and 26 percent from three, but found some success at the free-throw line. The team went 16-of-19 from the line, with 7’4″ center Zhang Ziyu accounting for nine of those makes herself.
Caitlin Clark was already far enough behind the three-point line to make most players reconsider the shot. She never hesitated. The ball left her hands and dropped through the basket, delivering another reminder that the normal boundaries of the court do not always apply to her.
Angel Reese’s defining moment came at the opposite end. She lowered her body, raised her arms and tried to keep China’s 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu away from the basket. Reese moved her feet and attempted to absorb the contact without reaching, but the physical battle eventually ended with a foul.
Historical Context and Group D Schedule
The U.S. women’s national team roster is set for the FIBA World Cup in Berlin from Sept. 4-13, and seven of the team’s 12 players will be making their World Cup debuts. Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese and Jackie Young are all first-timers at the FIBA World Cup, while the rest of the roster is filled out with veterans Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson returning to the stage.
Team USA drops China to open FIBA Women's World
Team USA is the most dominant team in the competition’s history, winning 11 of its 19 tournaments. The Americans have trotted to the top of the podium on four straight occasions, cementing their status as the world’s finest side. After claiming a title in dramatic fashion during the 2024 Olympics, the Americans will attempt to retain their status in this year’s tourney.
Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson highlight the roster for the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team. USA Basketball announced the 12-deep roster on Thursday morning. The team will compete in this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup, which takes place Sept. 4-13 in Berlin.
The team’s roster combines for 14 Olympic and nine World Cup gold medals, 58 WNBA All-Star appearances and six WNBA MVP awards.
I’m so excited to announce the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s National Team,
USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird said in a news release. “This is an incredibly talented group that has earned the opportunity to compete in Berlin. Wearing a USA jersey is a privilege, and I know these 12 players will embrace that responsibility as we go after another gold medal. I can’t wait to see what this team accomplishes.”
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