The FIBA World Cup is underway, and six teams have already advanced to the quarterfinals: USA, Hungary, France, Belgium, Spain, and Germany.
Team USA has the world’s most talented quad, headlined by veterans like Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Jackie Young, plus up-and-coming stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. But there have been plenty of big-time performers outside of the US, too.
Here’s a way-too-list of the top 10 non-Team USA performers, ranked.
1. Emma Meesseman, Belgium
Emma Meesseman is a WNBA Finals MVP, and she’s looked every bit the part in the World Cup thus far. She’s averaging 18.3 points on 50% shooting, along with 8 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Belgium, meanwhile, went 3-0 in Group Play, including an impressive victory over a star-studded Australian squad.
2. Gabby Williams, France
France went 3-0 in Group Play, and Gabby Williams, their do-it-all player, is a big reason why. Williams is averaging 18.7 points on 58.8% shooting — while shooting 55% from three — to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Williams leads all World Cup players in points per game. France will face the winner of Puerto Rico and China in Thursday’s quarterfinal game.
Portland Fire guard Iyana Martin has been big-time for Spain so far in the tournament. She’s averaging 17.3 points on high efficiency — 56.2% from the field, 43.8% from three — along with 3 assists. Martin’s performance is particularly impressive considering she’s just 20 years old. She became the first-ever under-21 player to score at least 20 points in back-to-back World Cup games this century.
Julie Vanloo has been Belgium’s second-most important player; she’s averaging 16.3 points while shooting 51.4% from the field and 44.8% from three, to go along with 4 assists. Belgium went 3-0 in Group Play in large part due to strong play from Emma Meesseman and Vanloo.
5. Marine Johannes, France
New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes has been France’s second-leading scorer; she’s averaging 17 points per game while shooting 52% from three. Johannes is one of France’s more veteran players and will be crucial in the country’s pursuit of a gold medal.
6. Ezi Magbegor, Australia
Ezi Magbegor is Australia’s captain and leading scorer. Through three games, the Seattle Storm star is averaging 15.7 points on 59.5% shooting. She’s also shooting 42.9% from three and grabbing 6.3 rebounds. With news that Alanna Smith has been ruled out for the tournament due to a lower-leg injury, Magbegor becomes even more critical for Australia.
Dorka Juhasz has struggled with the Minnesota Lynx this season, but she’s continued to be dominant when lacing up for Hungary. Through four games, the 26-year-old is averaging 15.3 points on 50% shooting to go along with 11 rebounds per game. In turn, Hungary has punched its ticket to the quarterfinals.
New York Liberty center Xu Han is averaging 17.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 52% from the field and 54.5% from three. China has to beat Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning in order to advance to the quarterfinals, where they’d face France.
Turkey went 0-3 in the World Cup, but Sevgi Uzun was a lone bright spot. The former WNBA guard led the World Cup in assists per game (8.3) while also tallying 17.7 points a night. She shot 53% and 45% from three.
10. Djeneba N’Diaye, Mali
Mali has been eliminated from the World Cup, but it was nonetheless an impressive showing. Mali stunned Spain in the second game of Group Play action, walking away with an 82-73 win that served as only their second-ever win in tournament history, and first since an overtime game in 2010. N’Diaye was a critical part of Mali’s World Cup success; she averaged 17 points on 50% shooting through three games while shooting 45% from three, and poured in 19 points in the win over Spain.
