Spain Names WNBA Star Awa Fam in Squad for Women’s Basketball World Cup

Head coach Miguel Méndez finalized his 12-player roster ahead of the tournament opener, trimming down an initial pre-list of 21 players that had trained throughout the summer. The selection process required difficult choices following an extensive preparation phase, which included the “Volvemos a soñar” preparation tour with matches across Germany and Spain.

The WNBA Contingent Returns for Germany

A central storyline for Spain centers on the integration of its North American-based professionals. Five players competing in the WNBA—including recent draft standout Awa Fam, Raquel Carrera, Alicia Flórez, María Conde, and Megan Gustafson—rejoined the national setup late in the preparation window due to their club commitments stateside, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Fam, the young center from Santa Pola who was selected third overall in the WNBA draft, highlights a dynamic frontcourt alongside the naturalized Gustafson. Gustafson, Conde, and Maite Cazorla all return to major tournament play after missing the previous European championship due to injuries.

Veteran Leadership and Scrappy Roster Construction

Complementing the overseas talent is a core of players who secured a silver medal at the European Championship last summer. Captain Alba Torrens, the most-capped player in the squad, provides invaluable veteran leadership alongside fellow returnees Mariona Ortiz, Helena Pueyo, Iyana Martín, Elena Buenavida, and Paula Ginzo.

coach Méndez acknowledged the tension involved in finalizing the group. “We have spent a tense day making the final team that will represent us in the World Cup,” Méndez stated via the FEB website, noting the high competitive level across the entire summer training camp.

Group Stage Opponents and Tournament Path

Spain returns to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup stage for the first time in eight years, having last participated at the 2018 tournament in Tenerife where they captured the bronze medal. Their best historical finish came in 2014 as tournament runners-up.

Drawn into Group A, Spain opens its tournament campaign on Friday, September 4, against host nation Germany in Berlin. The group stage also features fixtures against Japan and Mali, with matches running through September 13.

The squad enters the global showcase as part of an elite European tier—alongside Olympic silver medalists France, continental champions Belgium, and Olympic/World bronze medalists Australia—looking to challenge an imposing United States program that enters the tournament holding a two-decade unbeaten streak in major international competitions.