Women’s Basketball World Cup: All the latest news out of Sydney
Team USA’s FIBA World Cup campaign is underway, the powerhouse handing out a hammering amid a touching tribute to star Brittney Griner, who has been jailed in Russia.
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Team USA has temporarily retired Brittney Griner’s No.15 singlet for their FIBA World Cup campaign in a show of support for their teammate who is controversially detained in a Russian jail on drug charges.
Griner’s life is in limbo after she was arrested in February when a small amount of cannabis oil was found in her vape canisters.
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The WNBA champion and veteran USA centre was detained and later convicted on drug possession charges amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Griner was sentenced last month to nine years in jail.
However, there is growing hope that a deal will be made between Russian and American officials in the coming weeks to bring the jailed 31-year-old home.
USA captain Breanna Stewart said the Americans would retire the centre’s No.15 jumper in Sydney.
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“Usually for the USA we are four through 15 in numbers and 15 is Brittney’s number, so nobody is going to be wearing that number while we are here at the World Cup,” Stewart told News Corp.
“I think that is one of the biggest ways that we can show love and support towards her.
“It’s culture us always wearing the same numbers, so the fact that her number is going to stay hers is amazing.
“We are going to try and win a gold for her and hoping that she is going to be returning home quickly and safely.”
Team USA is off to a strong start following a dominant 87-72 win over Belgium.
Stewart was the star of the show, finishing with a game-high 22 points and adding four rebounds and three assists.
The two-time WNBA champion is widely regarded as the world’s best player, and it was clear to see why, following her stellar performance against Belgium.
Team USA take on Puerto Rico in their second World Cup game on Friday from 10.30am.
Most experts believe the USA’s tilt for a fourth consecutive World Cup crown is a forgone conclusion, but the absence of two icons has raised questions about the all-conquering Americans.
Legendary back-court duo Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi won’t be in Sydney, leaving the USA more vulnerable to a big challenge from a competitor.
Six Olympic gold medalists & four who've won a World Cup make up the 🇺🇸 #USABWNT roster set to compete in the 2022 edition in Sydney.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 20, 2022
Stewart, though, says the doubters are only fuelling the Americans to continue their dominance on the World Cup stage.
“We definitely use it as motivation,” she said.
“I don’t think that anyone is going to take us lightly just because we have USA on the front of our chest.
“It is a little bit of a transition because Sue (Bird), Diana (Taurasi) and players like that are no longer playing.
“But it’s an opportunity for the younger players to come in, make some noise and make a difference.
“I think it’s amazing for us to be able to come here and play in such a basketball city and country and be appreciated by a lot of different fans.
“The team is settling really well, and we’re focused on our goal of winning a gold medal.”
Opals brace for heavyweight opening World Cup clash
Team USA captain Breanna Stewart has hailed the Opals more feared following the return of the legendary Lauren Jackson, but the Australians are refusing to look past Thursday’s World Cup opener against France to avoid a repeat of their Tokyo Olympic disaster.
The Opals face their most important game since the 2016 Rio Olympics when they take on an understrength French outfit at the Sydney SuperDome.
France will field a youthful line up with big names – guard Marine Johannes, centre Sandrine Gruda and guard Bria Hartley not playing in Sydney.
Johannes’ absence is particularly a big blow for the French. The New York Liberty WNBA guard was ruled out on the eve of the Cup with a thigh injury.
Johannes, Gruda and Hartley amassed 41 points combined in their last game against the Opals in Bourges, France.
On that day, Les Bleus defeated Australia 72-63 in an Olympic Qualifier for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
France may be missing its star trio in Sydney, but the Opals are refusing to take their European rivals lightly.
Australian captain Tess Madgen remembers the pain of dropping their opening Tokyo Olympic group game against Belgium, and she doesn’t want to see it happen again at the World Cup.
“We saw what happened in Tokyo when we lost that first game, and it was a bit deflating,” Madgen told News Corp.
“I mean, I don’t want to say it, but we are prepared for all situations.
“But to have that first up win it will take the pressure off, and it will be a big tick for all the preparation that we’ve done.
“It’s not dire straits if we don’t start off with a win, but it will be nice to start off with an air of confidence.”
As Madgen fully understands, a first up win over France will be crucial for the Opals given the strength of their Group B rivals.
The Australians face formidable tests against Serbia, Canada, and Japan- and must finish in the top two to progress to the quarterfinals.
The Opals played France in their final World Cup warm-up game earlier in the week, recording a 92-88 win.
Madgen says the victory has given her Australian teammates vital confidence, but she is concerned about her team’s slow start in the practice game.
The Opals found themselves in a 10-4 hole early against the French before recovering.
“We had a really slow start, so we definitely can’t do that again,” she said.
“The first game of the World Cup you don’t want to give the rivals any momentum.
“We will make adjustments, but I think the main one will be being ready to go from the tip-off.”
The Opals have the rest of the World Cup teams on guard, with Australia’s greatest player in Jackson returning to the fold.
Stewart, who has won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm, can’t wait to see the Aussie GOAT in action at the Cup in Sydney.
“It’s amazing for Lauren to be back playing, just for all that she has gone through both mentally and physically,” she said.
“I hope she goes. I keep telling her – I hope you have like 30 points’.
“The type of player she was when she was playing was one of the best in the world, so to now have her back is (huge).
“For me, she is still one of the best in the world and I think it’s amazing for her to be celebrated here.”
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup
Sydney Olympic Park Sep 22-Oct 1
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