COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore forward Joyce Edwards averaged 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds to help the United States to its fourth gold medal in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup. Playing seven games in Warsaw, Poland, Edwards was the top U.S. rebounder twice and top scorer once, shooting 52.1 percent from the field.

The gold medal is Edwards’ fourth when competing for USA Basketball but her first in 3×3 action.  Her previous three gold medals came in 5×5 events – 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.

The U.S. went undefeated to win Pool B, topping Hungary, Australia, Mongolia and Spain. Edwards as the top scoring and rebounding American in the 20-17 win over Mongolia with seven points and eight rebounds in Thursday’s first game.

In Saturday’s quarterfinals, the U.S. eked by France 18-16 with Edwards netting six points and a team-high four rebounds to send the Americans into the medal rounds on Sunday.

A back-and-forth semifinal against Azerbaijan included 11 ties and overtime as the American had to rally late for the win. After Azerbaijan took a 12-10 lead with 2:34 to play, Edwards scored on back-to-back possessions inside. Free throws allowed Azerbaijan to stay two points ahead of the U.S. over the next two possessions. The Americans scored four straight points to go up 17-15 with 10 seconds remaining before a buzzer-beater send the game to overtime. In the extra period, the game would be decided by the first team to score to points. The U.S. struck first and after the 11th tie, hit the final shot to win the game 19-18.

The gold medal game was a rematch against Australia after the Americans won 21-18 in pool play. The U.S. jumped out to a 4-0 lead and led by six as Edwards capped a 3-0 run for an 11-5 advantage. Australia continued to fight back, using turnovers to fuel a 5-0 run that knotted the game at 17-17 and later take a 20-19 lead with under a minute to play. As the clock wound down, the U.S. missed a potential game-winning 2-pointer but got the rebound and the second long-range attempt went in to deliver the gold medal.

Joining Edwards on the U.S. team were MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU), Mikaylah Williams (LSU) and Sahara Williams (Oklahoma).

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on the women’s basketball program.

The USA Women’s Basketball National Team won the 2026 Women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland on Sunday thanks to help from a current Gamecocks star.

South Carolina women’s basketball forward Joyce Edwards led Team USA to a gold medal after a close victory over Australia.

Edwards now has four gold medals on her resume while playing for USA Basketball. This is Edwards’ first medal in three-on-three competition. Edwards’ prior three gold medals came in traditional five-on-five play at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Edwards averaged 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 52.1% from the field in this year’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup. She was joined by former Gamecock teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley (now at LSU), Oklahoma’s Sahara Williams and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams. The latter Williams was named MVP of the tournament.

Team USA had an easy time getting to bracket play in the tournament. The Americans went undefeated in Pool B with wins over Hungary, Australia, Mongolia and Spain. Edwards led Team USA with seven points and eight rebounds in the pool play matchup with Mongolia.

Team USA started its tournament run with an 18-16 win over France in the quarterfinals. Edwards scored six points and led her team with four rebounds in the game. Team USA’s semifinals game vs. Azerbaijan resulted in a 19-18 overtime win. The victory sent the Americans to the finals, where they beat Australia 21-20 after a clutch shot from Mikaylah Williams.

Michael Sauls is The State’s South Carolina women’s basketball reporter. He previously worked at The Virginian-Pilot covering Norfolk State and Hampton University sports. A Columbia native, he is an alum of the University of South Carolina.

WARSAW, Poland. (WTOC) – Team USA Women’s Basketball claimed their 4th Gold medal in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup on Sunday.

South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards also walking home with gold after scoring four points with two rebounds in Team USA’s 21-20 win over Australia.

The team consisted of South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, LSU’s Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley as well as Oklahoma’s Saraha Williams.

Since the event began in 2012, the American women have medaled five times with four gold medals (2012, 2014, 2023 and 2026) with the lone bronze in 2016.

LSU’s Mikayla Williams had the game-winning basket and walked away with MVP honors.

Edwards led South Carolina to two national title games. The current sophomore averaged 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Gamecocks.