Team USA women’s basketball has several college stars to thank for its latest gold medal.

On June 7, the USA women’s basketball 3×3 roster secured gold with a 21-20 win over Australia at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland.  The victory comes after a gritty 19-18 overtime win over Azerbaijan in the semifinals.  The winning group included South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards, LSU’s Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley, plus Oklahoma forward Saraha Williams.

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

Mikaylah Williams, who made the game-winning basket to push the USA out in front, also walked away with MVP honors. She scored a team-high nine points in the matchup. Mikaylah led the team in scoring with 6.6 points per matchup a joined Cameron Brink (2023) as the only other American woman to take home an MVP award.

“I’m blessed to be on this stage, to play with some amazing teammates, to play for some amazing coaches and to rep USA,,” Williams said postgame.

Edwards, a star at South Carolina, has the led Gamecocks to two national title games. The 6-foot-3 forward was a consensus All-American as a sophomore this past season, averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the floor.

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Mikaylah Williams has started in 105 of the 106 games she’s played at LSU and was named to first-team All-SEC for a second time this past season. Over her career, Mikaylah has averaged 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.

Edwards and Fulwiley previously played together at South Carolina during the 2024-25 season before Fulwiley transferred to LSU, where she plays alongside Mikaylah Williams. Fulwiley has won the SEC’s Sixth Player of the Year twice and has also been named to an All-Region team in the NCAA Tournament twice. Last season, Fulwiley averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

Sahara Williams averaged 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 46.1% from the floor this past season for the Sooners. She helped Oklahoma make the Sweet 16 during the 2026 NCAA Tournament, where the Sooners fell to Edwards and South Carolina.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina, LSU stars lead Team USA women to FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold

SHANGHAI (China) – The best of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series are ready to take center stage in Shanghai, with the season’s biggest stars set to battle for the ultimate prize at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026.

From the Netherlands’ superstar duo to dominant scorers, creative playmakers and homegrown threats, the eight-team field is packed with players capable of deciding the biggest moments.

Here are 10 players to watch when the action tips off at the West Bund Art Center in Xuhui District.

Dutch dynamic duo

The Netherlands (NED) arrive in Shanghai with two of the biggest stars in the Women’s Series.

Ilse Kuijt enters as the No. 1 player in the 2026 Women’s Series Rankings after an outstanding campaign that has included MVP honors at WS Tokyo and WS Sea Breeze. She has been part of five of the Netherlands’ six stop victories and ranks second in the Women’s Series in two-pointers made with 32, while her 58 key assists rank fifth overall. Her 216.2 total player value is also sixth-best in the field.

Noortje Driessen is not far behind, ranked No. 2 in the Women’s Series this season. The versatile guard has also featured in five of the Netherlands’ six victories and collected MVP honors at WS Amsterdam and WS CS Rapid. She ranks fourth in total drives and second in free-throws made with 42, while her 207.6 total player value places her eighth overall.

Together, Kuijt and Driessen give the Netherlands one of the most formidable one-two punches in Shanghai.

Neftchi’s two-pronged attack

If there is one player who can match that star power, it is Alexandra Mollenhauer of Neftchi SOCAR (AZE). The Azerbaijani standout is ranked No. 3 in the Women’s Series and has been one of the most prolific and dominant players on the circuit all season. Mollenhauer leads the Women’s Series in total points with 250 and total player value at 308.5, while also topping the charts in two-pointers made (50), free-throws made (47), key assists (105) and highlights (163).

She has also recorded 13 double-fives and nine triple-fives, both Series-best marks, while her 25 blocks rank second overall. Mollenhauer claimed MVP honors at WS Orléans and will be one of the biggest threats to any team standing between Neftchi SOCAR and the title.

Mollenhauer is not the only Neftchi SOCAR player capable of taking over a game. Arica Carter, ranked No. 11 in the Women’s Series, claimed MVP honors at WS Marseille and has provided another dynamic scoring and driving option for the Azerbaijani side. She ranks fifth in drives with 43 and ninth in highlights with 92. With Mollenhauer and Carter on the same team, Neftchi SOCAR possess plenty of offensive firepower.

Driving Rapid forward

Rapid Bucharest (ROU) will look to Hortense Limouzin to set the tone in Shanghai. Ranked No. 5 overall this season, Limouzin has made her mark through relentless penetration and creativity. She leads the entire Women’s Series in drives with 106 and one-pointers made with 156, while ranking second in total points (200), total player value (276.5) and highlights (155). After earning MVP honors at WS Baku, Limouzin will be one of the players to watch whenever Rapid Bucharest need a spark.

Germany’s anchor

Germany (GER) will arrive in Shanghai with Marie Reichert anchoring their defense. The No. 15-ranked player was named MVP at WS Bangkok and leads the entire Women’s Series in blocks with 41. She also ranks fifth in total points with 185 and seventh in total player value at 216.1, while her 131 one-pointers place her third overall. Reichert’s ability to impact the game at both ends will be vital as Germany look to make their mark on the season finale.

All-around threat

France may still be searching for their first Women’s Series stop victory of the season, but Marie-Eve Paget gives them a reliable all-around presence. Ranked No. 17 this season, Paget does not necessarily dominate one statistical category. Instead, her value comes from contributing across the board and doing whatever France need in any given game. With the stakes higher than ever in Shanghai, that versatility could prove particularly valuable.

Mongolian ace

Khulan Onolbaatar has been at the heart of Ulaanbaatar Amazons‘ (MGL) impressive campaign. The No. 8-ranked Women’s Series player enters the Shanghai Final with the third-highest total player value this season at 242.7 and ranks second in key assists with 62. She is also third in two-pointers made (47) and fourth in highlights (124). Onolbaatar was named MVP at WS Jinan and will be crucial to the Amazons’ hopes of making another deep run.

Homegrown firepower

The home teams will have their own stars to lean on when the Shanghai crowd gets behind them.

Zhang ZhiTing is the leading scorer for Beijing (CHN), ranking fourth overall in the Women’s Series in total points with 190 while sitting second in one-pointers made with 150. The No. 22-ranked player will be looking to help Beijing chase their first Women’s Series event victory of the year on home soil.

China, meanwhile, will turn to Yang Hengyu. Ranked No. 26, Yang sits seventh in total points with 190 and 10th in total player value at 199.1. She is also second in double-fives with 11 and fifth in total rebounds with 143. Yang helped China get the win at WS Xiantao earlier this season.

With two Chinese teams in the field, both Zhang and Yang could have a major say in how far the hosts go.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

AMSTERDAM (Netherlands) – Amsterdam (NED) delivered fireworks in front of the home crowd as they secured a perfect record on Day 1 of the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Amsterdam on June 20.

The Dutch side found themselves in a stacked pool, taking on two contending sides in Baskets Bonn (GER) and Shanghai (CHN). 

Their first tie was a nail-biter against the German side. Both sides game-planned perfectly for the other with neither being able to grab control of proceedings. It came down to the wire, but Amsterdam had done enough to come away as 13 – 12 victors. Worthy de Jong led his side in scoring with 7 of the 13 points.

They closed out the day with a pool deciding clash against Shanghai. Once again, the Dutch showed out in front of the home crowd, coming away with a 21 – 16 victory. It was Worthy de Jong on top once again as he put up a whopping 13 points in the closing win. 

Amsterdam are locked in and ready as they head into knockout action on home turf. 

PLAYERS

Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam)

It was the Worthy de Jong show in Amsterdam tonight. When buckets were needed, Worthy provided. He put up 7 of his side’s 13 points in their opening win over Baskets Bonn. He took it up another notch in their second game against Shanghai, going off for 13 points in the win. 

His defensive impact was stellar as usual, limiting two high-scoring sides from gaining momentum. 

The Dutch have an on-fire Worthy at the helm heading into knockout games on Day 3. 

DAY 3

Amsterdam will crown its stop winners tomorrow as the final 8 battle it out in knockout action. Don’t miss the action, tune in live on the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

FIBA

WARSAW (Poland) – Day 1 of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 delivered an electric start in downtown Warsaw as the world’s best players officially began their quest for global glory.

Serbia (men) and the Netherlands (women) took the headlines with perfect records and statement wins on opening day.

TEAMS

SERBIA (Men)

The 6-time World Cup winners meant business on Day 1. They started out with a decisive 21 – 14 victory over Madagascar. Nenad Nerandžić led the way with a 10-point scoring effort while World #1 Strahinja Stojacic pulled the strings for the win.

Their second game would be against Reigning World Cup champs in Spain. Whilst a more physical battle, Serbia stayed a step ahead, ultimately pulling away with a 16 – 12 win thanks to a Dr. Strange takeover with a 9-point scoring display. They sit atop their pool before Day 3 action where they’ll close out their pool run.

NETHERLANDS (Women)

Reigning champs came out swinging to start pool play! They faced a sharpshooting Czechia side to open action and grinded their offense down, turning it into a gritty affair. The Dutch emerged victorious 12 – 8, a much-needed tone-setter heading into their next clash against a dominant Azerbaijan side.

Ilse Kuijt and Noortje Driessen starred in their second pool game, combining for 14 points in yet another victory, this time a 19 – 13 result over a contending side to close Day 1 action unbeaten.

PLAYERS

FABIAN GIESSMANN (Germany)

The 21-year-old German star was dominant to start pool action. Germany’s perfect pool display came off the back of two monstrous performances from Giessmann – 9 points and 4 rebounds against Japan before adding in an 11-point 6-rebound effort against New Zealand.

Giessmann’s impact both offensively and defensively makes him a perennial threat for the opposition and a star to watch heading into Day 3 action.

AMA DEGBEON (Germany)

Ama Degbeon was feeling herself on Day 1 action . She started off with a joint-team high 7 points in a win over China before following it up with a 10-point outburst in their win over the Philippines. Germany closed the day with a perfect record and Degbeon’s efforts were a key part of that.

What’s Next?

Day 2 of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 will feature Pool B and Pool D action in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Among the must-watch matchups:

– Pool B Men: USA vs Latvia: Athletic powerhouse vs former Olympic champions.
– Pool B Women: Australia vs USA: High-level clash between two medal contenders.

Fans can follow all the action live on FIBA 3×3 digital platforms and official broadcast partners worldwide.

FIBA

HANCHUAN (China) – Lausanne (SUI) produced a sensational Sunday performance to capture the inaugural FIBA 3×3 Hanchuan Challenger 2026, defeating Skyliners (GER) 22-14 in the Final at the picturesque Tianyu Lake Scenic Area.

After emerging from Pool A despite an opening-day loss to Lausanne, Skyliners looked poised for revenge in the Final. Instead, the Swiss side delivered another clinical display behind MVP Natan Jurkovitz and Jonathan Kazadi to finish an unforgettable weekend in style.

The Winner

Lausanne enjoyed an opening victory over Princeton to tip off the tournament’s most impressive run. After upsetting fourth-ranked Skyliners in pool play, the Swiss side carried that momentum into the Final.

Kazadi starred in a convincing 21-14 Quarter-Final victory over Valencia Basket (ESP) before Lausanne produced one of the performances of the tournament in the Semi-Finals. Kazadi poured in 10 points as Lausanne buried seven two-pointers to overwhelm home favorites Shanghai (CHN) 22-10, ending the contest with more than four minutes remaining.

The Final followed a similar script. Lausanne stormed to a quick start before extending the margin to 17-9 midway through the contest through crisp ball movement and efficient shooting. Skyliners never found an answer as Lausanne sealed their first Challenger stop win of the 2026 season.

Jurkovitz was deservedly named tournament MVP after stuffing the stat sheet throughout the weekend. He finished first in rebounds (30), offensive rebounds (16), dunks (6) and double-fives (2), while ranking among the tournament leaders in player value (42.2) and one-point field goals made.

The Runner-up

Skyliners once again demonstrated why they have been among the Pro Circuit’s most consistent teams this season.

Stefan Kojic made an immediate impact in his return from several weeks of rest, helping the German side defeat Princeton before finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 36 points. After falling to Lausanne in pool play, Skyliners bounced back by eliminating Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) in the Quarter-Finals before Kojic erupted for 14 points to inspire a comeback victory over Taipei WanBao (TPE) in the Semi-Finals.

Although they were unable to avenge their earlier defeat against Lausanne, Skyliners left Hanchuan with another podium finish and a well-earned FIBA 3×3 World Tour qualification.

The Final

The title game quickly turned into a showcase for Lausanne’s relentless pace and execution.

The Swiss side raced to an early 9-3 lead and never allowed Skyliners to establish any rhythm offensively. Every German rally was answered by timely baskets as Lausanne consistently found quality looks inside and beyond the arc.

Thomas Jurkovitz contributed seven points in the Final, while Kazadi and the rest of the Swiss attack maintained constant pressure. Titouan Vannay fittingly delivered the Final blow with the decisive two-pointer as Lausanne wrapped up a commanding 22-14 victory.

The Reward

Lausanne, Skyliners and Taipei WanBao were rewarded for their impressive performances in Hanchuan by securing qualification to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour TBC 2026 stop, keeping their Pro Circuit momentum alive heading into the latter stages of the season.

Final Standings:

1. Lausanne (SUI) – qualified to WT TBC
2. Skyliners (GER) – qualified to WT TBC
3. Taipei WanBao (TPE) – qualified to WT TBC
4. Shanghai (CHN)
5. RaudondvarisHoptrans (LTU)

Top Scorers:

1. Stefan Kojic (Skyliners) – 36 pts
2. Cameron Forte (Shanghai) – 31 pts
3. Jonathan Kazadi (Lausanne) – 28 pts
4. Aurelijus Pukelis (Raudondvaris Hoptrans) – 27 pts
5. Petar Ivanovic (Taipei WanBao) – 27 pts

What’s Next

The inaugural FIBA 3×3 Hanchuan Challenger delivered another memorable chapter in the 2026 Pro Circuit. Lausanne claimed their first Challenger title of the year through a dominant Championship Sunday performance. Meanwhile, Skyliners continued their excellent campaign with another podium finish, and Taipei WanBao impressed with a breakthrough run to the Semi-Finals after upsetting Antwerp in pool play. The Challenger circuit now moves to Uenohara (Japan) and FISE Birmingham (USA) on August 8-9, where more World Tour tickets will be up for grabs.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA