Team USA secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with a dominant 52-point win over Hungary. Key contributions from bench players Rhyne Howard, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese were instrumental in pushing the team to an impressive 108 points.
Angel Reese stood out defensively, capturing the attention of fans with her intense play. When asked about her approach going into the quarterfinal, the 24-year-old forward confidently stated she is “Defensive Player of the Year for a reason,” a mindset she consistently brings to the floor. This attitude reflects her WNBA style, as she shared in a video from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup’s X (formerly Twitter) account, emphasizing her focus on deflections, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
In 18 minutes of play, Reese scored 9 vital points for Team USA, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and made 2 steals while shooting efficiently, converting 4 of 5 field goals.
Caitlin Clark, despite earlier struggles in the group stage, delivered a solid game against Hungary, scoring 10 points and adding 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 turnovers. Notably, her on-court connection with Reese was a highlight, as the two former rivals turned teammates demonstrated strong chemistry. When asked about their rapport, Reese commented, “We have played against each other so many times. We know each other’s game inside out, so it’s really fun to keep building our chemistry since we’ll be USA teammates for a while.”
Though neither Reese nor Clark started the game, their efforts, along with a standout performance from veteran Napheesa Collier—who scored 19 points including a spectacular three-pointer—helped propel Team USA forward in the knockout rounds.
The Americans now await the winner between Australia and Spain in the semifinals, scheduled for September 12.
Fan Take: This victory highlights the rising stars in the WNBA, showing how talented bench players like Reese and Clark are making a huge impact on the international stage. Their growing synergy and defensive prowess signal exciting developments for the future of women’s basketball, boosting the global profile and competitiveness of the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
