WBB.global

By Kate Northington

September 4, 2026

The American and Chinese national teams faced off today in both teams’ first game in the FIBA Women’s World Cup at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany. The USA team easily passed China, winning 94-61 in a strong start for the top-ranked team in the competition. 

The five American starters were Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Chelsea Gray, all of whom have previous experience on the senior US National Team. All seven other American players were newcomers to this level of international play. China’s starters were Han Xu, Chen Mingling, Luo Xinyu, Zhang Manman, and Yang Shuyu. 

The United States’ leading scorers were Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Rhyne Howard, who each earned 14 points in the game, though each of these players started on the bench. Bueckers had the best field-goal percentage of the three, shooting 66% from the field. 

For China, Luo Xinyu and Zhang Ziyu led the team with 13 points apiece. Clark recorded the most assists for Team USA with 10, while Yang Shuyu and Zhang Manman led China with 3 assists each. Han Xu, who plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, had the most rebounds for Team China, grabbing 10 off the boards, while Angel Reese led the USA with 8.

This win moves the USA closer toward the coveted #1 spot in Group A. The group winner will proceed immediately toward the quarterfinals, bypassing the first round of the knockout phase. The second- and third-place teams in each group will compete for a quarterfinal spot in an additional game. 

Both the USA and China will face Italy and Czechia next in the group phase.