Story perspectives

Team USA crushes China 94-61 in World Cup opener

9/4/2026

Summary

USA Crushes China

Summary

Zhang Scores

Zhang Ziyu scored 13 points, becoming China’s co-leading scorer.
She hit 9-of-10 free throws, a rare efficiency for a 7-foot-4 center.
A bench clash between Angel Reese and Zhang went viral, earning 275 k views in one hour.
Despite her height, Zhang struggled to score against Reese and Aliyah Boston’s defense.
Zhang is ineligible for the WNBA Draft but is projected for the 2027 class.

Summary

USA Revamps Roster

A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdrew from Team USA for health reasons.
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen will replace the absent veterans on Team USA.
Coach Kara Lawson warned the 2026 World Cup will be the toughest title chase yet.
The tournament runs Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, includes 36 games and a round-robin group stage.
FIBA rules feature a 20-foot-8-inch three-point line, a five-foul limit, and no defensive three-second rule.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the United States women's basketball team captured the FIBA World Championship in Germany, defeating Russia 71–65 to claim its eighth title. The tournament featured 16 national squads, with USA averaging 78.4 points per game while China posted a 62.7-point average. Like the 1998 showdown, today’s Berlin opener pits Team USA against China, where Caitlin Clark’s 14 points echo the Americans’ historic scoring depth. The repeat of U.S. dominance signals continued pressure on Chinese prospects such as Zhang Ziyu, shaping future WNBA draft expectations and international rivalries.

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USA Crushes China

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