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The 18th edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will take place in Tenerife, Spain and here is the second part of our ultimate guide, moving from Group to Group and Team to Team. (Photo – FIBA.com)

If you missed Part One, you will find it HERE.

Before we get into the guts of our Ultimate Preview and Groups C and D, here’s a few more overall facts to get those juices flowing!

  • No player has ever won multiple MVP trophies in the history of the FIBA Women’s World Cup and that is set to continue with Maya Moore not joining USA for this one.
  • Hortência Marcari averaged 31.5 points per game in the 1990 FIBA World Cup, the only time one player has averaged 30+ points in a single tournament.

  • Only two players in history have been the leading scorers of more than one World Cup tournament: Hortência Marcari (4) and Lauren Jackson (2).
  • Brazil have had Janeth Arcain, Hortência Marcari and Nilsa Gurcia as the top scorers in a World Cup tournament – they are the only country to have had more than one player as the leading scorer.
  • Only three players have scored 20+ points per game in the last five Women’s Basketball World Cup tournaments: Janeth Arcain (Brazil, 20.2 PPG in 1998), Lauren Jackson (Australia, 23.1 PPG in 2002 and 21.3 PPG in 2006) and Amaya Valdemoro (Spain, 21.2 PPG in 2006).
  • Haixia Zheng has been the only player since 1994 to have averaged 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in one single World Cup tournament: it was in 1994 when she averaged 26.4 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.
  • Elena Baranova (1998 & 2002) and Sancho Lyttle (2010 & 2014) are the only players to have averaged a double-double in more than one FIBA World Cup tournament, since 1994.

Group C

Probably the toughest Group with three nations who could medal, Puerto Rico will be gutted to be in this pool of teams. Spain are expected to dominate, but Japan and Belgium are such a handful in any game and that meeting between those two could be sensational.

Japan

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In a line: The Asian champions are dangerous and on their day, can kill you with their sheer energy and intensity. They have plenty of shooters, penetration, tenacious defense and a decent frontline. The lack of Ramu Tokashiki their WNBA centrepiece will hurt, but the Quarter-Finals is realistic and even an outside shot at the podium. Why not?

Fact(s): Japan have won only one of their last nine games in the preliminary Round of the World Cup: since 2002 they have only beaten Argentina in the first stage of the World Cup, it was in 2010 (59-58). Also, Japan have conceded 100+ points in seven World Cup games, the most among all teams taking part in this year’s edition.

Key Player: Having landed FIBA Women’s Asia Cup gold last year at what was her first ever major tournament at senior level for Japan, hopes are high that Manami Fujioka can also have a positive impact in Tenerife too. Her dynamic and all-action style has also been seen at the FIBA U17 and U19 Women’s Basketball World Cups.

Interesting Player: Yuki Miyazawa was the difference-maker with her three-point shooting when Japan took Asian gold in Bengaluru. It would give Japan such an edge if she can shoot the lights out again from downtown!

Puerto Rico

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Outlook: The debutantes are ready to do their nation proud at their maiden #FIBAWWC and they have been buoyed by a memorable gold at the Women’s CentroBasket earlier in the summer. However, the step up to this level is significant and they are probably in the worst possible Group (with two continental Champions). Being competitive would be the realistic aim and if they did win a game, it would be considered a huge shock.

Fact(s): Puerto Rico will compete in their first ever World Cup. They are one of three teams that will make their debuts in the competition. Meanwhile Puerto Rico have lost only two of their last competitive 11 games (FIBA AmeriCup 2017 and FIBA Centrobasket 2018): vs Canada (75-59) and Argentina (48-44). Albeit it a very different level to the global stage!

Key Player: Even if a tough assignment in the Canary Islands, Puerto Rico can at least look to Jennifer O’Neill to propel them to a shock win. Her skill-set and scoring power lifted her nation to that precious silverware last month as she was crowned MVP in front of thousands of triumphant home fans. Can she now continue her rich vein of form?

Interesting Player: Yolanda Jones has been around forever and the 34-year-old will need to roll back the years to help underpin this huge challenge facing the team.

Belgium

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In a line: Belgium are ready to enjoy a debut at the event and will still be riding high from a historic first ever podium step last year at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. If healthy they could go top six but both their biggest guns in Emma Meesseman and Ann Wauters have injury clouds hanging over them and especially the latter.

Key Player: We all know the sublime skills and aptitude of the reigning EuroLeague Women MVP Meesseman, but you sense Wauters will be the key. If present, healthy and able to find fitness and form, Belgium have a great vet to anchor them. But if she cracks and is sidelined it might be tough in the big moments.

Facts: Belgium will appear in their second consecutive FIBA major tournament (EuroBasket 2017 & World Cup 2018) after failing to qualify to any of the previous eight major competitions (World Cup, EuroBasket and Olympics). Meanwhile they will compete in consecutive major tournaments for the first time since 1970 (EuroBasket 1968 and EuroBasket 1970).

Interesting Player: Julie Allemand has been on the Blue Star radar for many years at youth level, but is yet to do it in a big way with the seniors. She will probably play a back up role but the WNBA draftee is hugely talented and the long term star of the Belgian backcourt.

Spain

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In a line: Spain made the Final for the first time at the last edition and then repeated by making a maiden Olympic Final two years ago as Coach Lucas Mondelo takes them to new heights. Some hosts crack but you sense Spain can thrive and nobody has as much sheer intensity so another Final is expected, but can they really win a first ever global gold?

Fact(s): Spain have only lost three of their 15 games over the last two editions of the World Cup, having also made the quarter-finals in each of their six appearances. Meanwhile they have won a medal in the last five major tournaments they have appeared in (World Cup, EuroBasket and Olympics).

Key Player: Astou Ndour had a great Olympics on her senior global debut with a near tournament double-double. She is the big factor in a frontcourt short of high class options. Sancho Lyttle had defense superpowers and experience, so Ndour will know she has a lot to do outside of bringing an offensive punch.

Interesting Player: Cristina Ouvina has been in and out of the national team during her career and could be about to finally have a big major tournament. As we all have eyes on veteran Laia Palau who ironically replaced her at Bourges due to an injury, it is Ouvina who has been in impressive form.

Group D

The smart money says this is all about just one game – Latvia against China, since surely USA will top the Group and Senegal will be last. Although we all know that women’s basketball is deliciously unpredictable – so will there be a twist?

Latvia

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Outlook: Latvia are predictably unpredictable and trying to guess which team will turn up is the issue – even for Coach Zibarts. When they click they can beat almost everyone, but they must show mental strength when they are on the ropes or things are not going well. Possible dark horses on what is their #FIBAWWC debut.

Fact(s): Latvia have won only one game against opponents from a different continent in a FIBA major tournament: they have beaten Brazil (79-78) and have lost against Australia (73-96) and South Korea (68-72) both in the 2008 Olympic Games. Meanwhile no team have outscored Latvia from behind the 3-point line in a single game of the 2017 EuroBasket Women.

Key Player: Anete Steinberga has a lot of work to get through in a frontcourt rotation that is short and she is almost a perfect illustration of the Latvia team as a whole. She can be red hot or stone cold. But she is a handful and now must show her leadership qualities.

Interesting Player: Kitija Laksa was super at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket last year and made more triples than anybody else in the tournament. Her shooting ability which also made headlines in the NCAA with the USF Bulls should be on show again. Of course, she has more in her locker than merely dropping bombs from downtown – including a great attitude.

USA

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Outlook: Still the runaway favorites with a roster laden with WNBA stars, legends and incredibly talented players – even if this roster has seen one of the biggest churns in recent USA Basketball memory. With the addition of a new head coach in Dawn Staley it does feel like a chapter being written and some of the other big guns may smell a rare opportunity and possible blood in the water. The worry for USA is whether talent alone is enough, since only limited chemistry and continuity may be present. But when you have Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi in the backcourt, it’s more than safe hands. Surely they will win it all again!

Fact(s): USA have scored 9639 points in their 124 games in the World Cup and are not far from becoming the first team to tally 10000 points in the World Cup history. They have also won their last 15 consecutive World Cup games – as well as 42 of their last 43 outings in the competition.

Key Player: Breanna Stewart is riding the crest of a wave after taking the rare honor of being crowned WBNA MVP and also the Finals MVP too. She also has a special place in FIBA competitions and in Blue Star Media hearts, since she is the one USA player who really has given everything for her country in terms of doing the hard yards and showing up for various youth World Cups. She is also about to play her first season in Euroleague Women which will be fascinating – swapping Dynamo Kursk for her last few seasons in China.

Interesting Player: Take your pick. From debutantes to returnees, there is so much to talk about with so many different faces to perhaps what we had anticipated.

Senegal

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Outlook: They are ranked to finish rock bottom and it is the most likely outcome for a team that have had limited preparation and only used 8 players in their friendly against France. That showed their lack of depth, at a time when they should be utilizing as many players as possible.

Fact(s): Senegal have won only two of their last 15 games in a World Cup and have also never beaten a European team in a World Cup game.

Key Player: Astou Traore is the reigning Women’s AfroBasket MVP and has to be respected as she will once again show her skills. Anyone who can score more than 15 points per game at the Olympics has some serious quality.

Interesting Player: Mame Marie Sy-Diop brings quality and experience of EuroLeague Women and while not always a big numbers player, she is an absolute rock and will play the all-important second punch role behind Traore.

China

Outlook: China are probably feeling a little bit sorry for themselves as the former big gun who is now misfiring and has to deal with Australia muscling in their territory in the region and arch rivals Japan winning plenty of silverware. However, they can’t feel sorry for themselves and need to regain the initiative mentally as well as on the court. Second spot is a possibility in Group D with wins over Latvia and Senegal. A big incentive.

Fact(s): China will compete in their 10th consecutive World Cup, never missing a tournament since their debuts in 1983. Meanwhile China have won only one of their last 11 World Cup games in which they have conceded 80+ points.

Key Player: Perhaps unusually for an Asian nation, China have more to offer in the frontcourt with some strong players and a decent rotation in the paint. In the backcourt, it looks like Li Meng could have a major role. She was almost a non-factor at the previous edition but came alive with 5 assists per game last year at the Women’s Asia Cup. Now she must show her skills on the global level.

Interesting Player: Li Yueru is the brilliant forward who had dominated at youth level and despite still only being a teenager, was the dominant figure on her senior tournament debut last year in Bengaluru. She is WNBA level and will be a massive star right across Asia, possibly worldwide if she keeps improving.

Keep it locked to @BasketMedia365 throughout the tournament itself for all the latest.

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Paul Nilsen lives and breathes women’s hoops. He’s is a freelance writer working for the sport’s world governing body FIBA where he pens a weekly ‘Women’s Basketball Worldwide Column’ - as well as providing daily content on major club competitions, international tournaments and the women’s youth game. He has an extensive network of contacts across the globe, including an array of elite play-callers and players. Also a qualified coach and referee, he is a big supporter of Blue Star Media and joined as a blogger during the fall of 2016.

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