The 2026 FIBA Ladies’s World Cup Qualifying Event in Puerto Rico got here to a detailed Tuesday when Group USA outlasted Spain, 84-70, to finish an ideal 5-0 week in San Juan and end in first place. The People had already certified for this fall’s World Cup, however have now formally acquired their boarding move.
As anticipated, Group USA led all groups in scoring with a median of 95.8 factors per recreation. Their 14-point win over Spain was by far the closest recreation of the match, and their 5 victories got here by a median of 42 factors.
Now that the entire motion is within the books, let’s check out what we realized about Group USA and the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Caitlin Clark’s return successful
When Caitlin Clark took the ground towards Senegal in Group USA’s opener, it was not solely her senior nationwide group debut, however her first aggressive recreation in 239 days. It did not take her lengthy to shake off the rust. She went off for 17 factors and 12 assists in 19 minutes towards Senegal, and recorded the second-most assists ever in a FIBA Ladies’s World Cup Qualifying recreation.
Earlier than this match, Clark hadn’t performed since July 15, when she strained her groin — one of many many lower-body accidents that derailed her sophomore WNBA season. She solely performed 13 occasions final season, was by no means absolutely wholesome and barely appeared like herself when she was on the ground.
Clark wasn’t as sharp towards each opponent as she was towards Senegal — the extent of competitors rising actually was an element there — however this week was a really optimistic step after sitting out for eight months. That is very true contemplating she was making her senior Group USA debut and sometimes needed to regulate to an off-ball position subsequent to different elite gamers.
Caitlin Clark data double-double in 20 minutes in her Group USA debut at FIBA Ladies’s World Cup qualifiers
Jack Maloney
For the match, Clark averaged 11.6 factors and 6.4 assists on 52.9% capturing from the sector, together with 40% from 3-point vary, en path to MVP honors. Fittingly, she led each Group USA and the match in assists. All indicators level to Clark being on the airplane to Berlin in September.
What’s extra, she appears able to reclaim her place as one of many high guards within the WNBA at any time when the 2026 season will get underway. That is nice information for the league and the Indiana Fever.
Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese make their case
Clark understandably acquired probably the most buzz this week, however this match was additionally the senior nationwide group debut for Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. Each made their instances to make the ultimate roster for the World Cup.
There was loads of speak (and a few consternation) about Group USA’s lineups and rotations within the first two video games, but it surely was clear that Kara Lawson and the remainder of the teaching workers have been attempting to get a have a look at everybody on the roster utilizing as many mixtures as attainable.
Towards Spain, the one aggressive contest, the rotations shortly shrank. Nate Tibbetts, who was in cost for this one with Lawson again with Duke forward of the NCAA Event, solely performed eight gamers till rubbish time. Notably, Bueckers and Reese have been a part of that group.
Bueckers, who had 9 factors, two rebounds and two assists towards Spain, was her common extremely environment friendly and versatile self all through the match. Her potential to create photographs for herself and toggle into no matter offensive position the group wants could be very helpful in worldwide play.
Reese, in the meantime, had 4 factors and eight rebounds towards Spain. Whereas she did not put up large scoring numbers on a group with a lot offensive expertise, she was a monster on the glass, as she has been all through her profession. Her vitality and talent to manage the boards are helpful traits in worldwide play.
There is a lengthy solution to go till Lawson and USA Basketball title the ultimate roster for the World Cup, however Bueckers and Reese did every part of their energy to make their case to the choice committee.
WNBA Draft hopefuls Awa Fam, Iyana Martin impress for Spain
Awa Fam acquired loads of criticism after a poor opening recreation to this match, and she or he was up and down all through the week. All that actually mattered, although, a minimum of by way of her WNBA draft prospects, was how she carried out towards Group USA. She was wonderful.
Fam completed with 10 factors on 5 of 8 capturing, 5 rebounds and 0 turnovers in 19 minutes towards elite WNBA competitors and appeared utterly comfy on either side of the ball. She was energetic on the glass, made some good finishes within the pick-and-roll, hit a step-back mid-range jumper and a Dirk Nowitzki fadeaway over Dearica Hamby and even spent a while guarding Chelsea Grey.
This was precisely the kind of efficiency you’ll hope to see from a possible No. 1 decide on the large stage. On a private stage, this was one of many largest nights of Fam’s profession to this point, and she or he delivered in entrance of Dallas Wings common supervisor Curt Miller and head coach Jose Fernandez.
Fam wasn’t the one Spanish participant who impressed in Puerto Rico.
Iyana Martín, who had six factors and dished out six assists towards Group USA, goes to rise on everybody’s draft boards after her displaying this week. She is a spectacular playmaker, and, like Fam, continues to be solely 19 years outdated. For the match, she averaged 11 factors, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a pair of.5 steals whereas capturing 50% from 3-point vary, and was second amongst all gamers in steals and third in assists.
