7 days ago
The U.S. women's basketball team edged Italy 55-52 in its closest FIBA World Cup in 20 years on Sunday.
Italy led 50-49 with 3:21 left before the U.S. regained control in a group-stage game of the biggest international tournament between now and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Americans stormed out to a 19-8 lead after the first quarter in Berlin, but Italy rallied to get within three going into the fourth quarter.
Italy, led by Cecilia Zandalasini of the Golden State Valkyries, qualified to play in its first global championship since the 1996 Olympics. It took third at the 2025 EuroBasket, its best finish at that continental tournament since 1995.
FIBA WORLD CUP: Box Score | Schedule, Results | USA Roster Breakdown
#since
Italy led 50-49 with 3:21 left before the U.S. regained control in a group-stage game of the biggest international tournament between now and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Americans stormed out to a 19-8 lead after the first quarter in Berlin, but Italy rallied to get within three going into the fourth quarter.
Italy, led by Cecilia Zandalasini of the Golden State Valkyries, qualified to play in its first global championship since the 1996 Olympics. It took third at the 2025 EuroBasket, its best finish at that continental tournament since 1995.
FIBA WORLD CUP: Box Score | Schedule, Results | USA Roster Breakdown
#since
9 days ago
The WNBA season is coming to a screeching halt for two weeks because of the Fiba Women's World Cup, which runs from 4-13 September in Berlin. Yes, it's weird timing this close to the playoffs, but also yes, the World Cup is really important.
Maybe you're reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women's basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament's games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
The Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world's best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 ***** les overall.
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.
#olympic #olympics
Maybe you're reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women's basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament's games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
The Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world's best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 ***** les overall.
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.
#olympic #olympics
13 days ago
Backup Boston Celtics wing Hugo Gonzalez and his Spanish National Team dropped another contest in FIBA EuroBasket play on Monday, August 31 in a 108-106 overtime loss to the Greek National Team just days after dropping their first-ever EuroBasket tilt to Neemias Queta and the Portuguese National Team.
It was another dud for Gonzalez in terms of offensive efficiency, the Madrid native putting up just 4 points on 1-of-4 shooting overall (he also went 0-of-1 from beyond the arc and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free throw line in the loss) along with chipping in 3 rebounds and an ***** ist. But with just under 11 minutes of floor time with Spain in this game, the defeat is not on the Boston reserve's shoulders, Spain's veteran players failing to hold up their end in the loss.
With the defeat, the Spanish National Team drops to 5-2 in EuroBasket play to date after back-to-back losses following a narrow win over the Georgian National Team in July.
Spain will next play the Montenegrin National Team at a time and location to be determined on Nov. 26, 2026.
They will almost certainly do so without Gonzalez, who will be playing for the Celtics in the 202-27 NBA regular season by that point of the year.
#national #team #gonzalez #spanish
It was another dud for Gonzalez in terms of offensive efficiency, the Madrid native putting up just 4 points on 1-of-4 shooting overall (he also went 0-of-1 from beyond the arc and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free throw line in the loss) along with chipping in 3 rebounds and an ***** ist. But with just under 11 minutes of floor time with Spain in this game, the defeat is not on the Boston reserve's shoulders, Spain's veteran players failing to hold up their end in the loss.
With the defeat, the Spanish National Team drops to 5-2 in EuroBasket play to date after back-to-back losses following a narrow win over the Georgian National Team in July.
Spain will next play the Montenegrin National Team at a time and location to be determined on Nov. 26, 2026.
They will almost certainly do so without Gonzalez, who will be playing for the Celtics in the 202-27 NBA regular season by that point of the year.
#national #team #gonzalez #spanish
19 days ago
Great Britain's men's basketball team have turned to the NBA in their bid to progress into the full qualifying rounds for the 2029 EuroBasket campaign.
The side, led by Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel, has been able to name three players in his squad who are either current or recent players in the world's top domestic league for this week's double-header against Switzerland and Slovakia.
Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams is part of the squad, as is power forward Tobi Lawal who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this summer.
Another addition to what is, on paper, the strongest GB squad in some time is forward Tosan Evbuomwan. The 25-year-old has this summer joined Barcelona following three seasons in the NBA and its reserve G-League.
"With every squad selection, you want to try to make sure that you are getting the balance of the most talented players available," Steutel told BBC Sport.
#forward #eurobasket
The side, led by Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel, has been able to name three players in his squad who are either current or recent players in the world's top domestic league for this week's double-header against Switzerland and Slovakia.
Boston Celtics centre Amari Williams is part of the squad, as is power forward Tobi Lawal who was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks earlier this summer.
Another addition to what is, on paper, the strongest GB squad in some time is forward Tosan Evbuomwan. The 25-year-old has this summer joined Barcelona following three seasons in the NBA and its reserve G-League.
"With every squad selection, you want to try to make sure that you are getting the balance of the most talented players available," Steutel told BBC Sport.
#forward #eurobasket
23 days ago
According to Ekipa, Luka Doncic and his teammates held a two-hour workout at Stozice Arena, with Lakers ****** istant coach Greg St. Jean leading the session. St. Jean, one of JJ Redick's ****** istants, is also familiar with Slovenian basketball after previously working with the country's national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2025. The workout marked the Lakers' first practice together during Luka's privately organized trip to his home country.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic and his teammates held a two-hour workout …
#doncic #held #according #ekipa
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic and his teammates held a two-hour workout …
#doncic #held #according #ekipa
2 months ago
OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard has hired an ******* istant with a wealth of European basketball experience to his staff.
Petar Aleksić was named an ******* istant coach for the Rebels on July 28.
"Petar has built a reputation as a winner everywhere he's coached," Beard said in a school release. "His experience developing players, leading championship programs and competing at the highest levels of European basketball brings tremendous value to our staff. He's a teacher, a proven leader and someone who shares our commitment to building a championship culture at Ole Miss."
Beard was an ******* istant coach under Aleksić for the 2015 Swiss National Team in EuroBasket. That team upset Russia in the second qualifying round of the tournament. Aleksić also spent time with the Rebels in 2024-25 when Ole Miss reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
Aleksić spent 10 seasons (2013-23) as the coach of Fribourg Olympic, a professional team, and has also served as coach of the Swiss men's national team from 2013-17. Aleksić had a 17-year professional playing career competing in the Yugoslav First and Second divisions, as well as in Hungary and Switzerland.
#rebels
Petar Aleksić was named an ******* istant coach for the Rebels on July 28.
"Petar has built a reputation as a winner everywhere he's coached," Beard said in a school release. "His experience developing players, leading championship programs and competing at the highest levels of European basketball brings tremendous value to our staff. He's a teacher, a proven leader and someone who shares our commitment to building a championship culture at Ole Miss."
Beard was an ******* istant coach under Aleksić for the 2015 Swiss National Team in EuroBasket. That team upset Russia in the second qualifying round of the tournament. Aleksić also spent time with the Rebels in 2024-25 when Ole Miss reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
Aleksić spent 10 seasons (2013-23) as the coach of Fribourg Olympic, a professional team, and has also served as coach of the Swiss men's national team from 2013-17. Aleksić had a 17-year professional playing career competing in the Yugoslav First and Second divisions, as well as in Hungary and Switzerland.
#rebels
2 months ago
Dziki Warsaw has officially signed former Iowa State men's basketball player Osun Osunniyi for the 2026-27 season. Standing at 6-foot-10, Osunniyi joins the Polish OBL (first tier) after spending the last two years with MLP Academics Heidelberg in the German BBL (first tier). During his most recent season in Germany, he averaged 7.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. He also showcased his defensive versatility in the Basketball Champions League, where he recorded 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Before his tenure in Germany, Osunniyi established himself as an elite professional in Belgium with Limburg United. In 2024, he helped lead his team to a Belgian Cup victory and was honored as the Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Defensive Player of the Year. This professional success followed a storied collegiate career where he recorded 1,372 points, 1,027 rebounds and 340 blocks.
Osunniyi's reputation as a premier rim protector began at St. Bonaventure, where he finished as the program's all-time leader in blocks with 305.
He was the first player in the school's history to be named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he won in both 2021 and 2022. His impact was most visible in 2021 when he anchored a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally and was named the Atlantic 10 Championship Most Outstanding Player after leading the Bonnies to a conference ******* le. Even as a freshman, he led all NCAA Division I freshmen in blocks, signaling his immediate impact on the college game.
In his final collegiate season at Iowa State, Osunniyi continued his dominance, leading the Cyclones in both blocks (35) and dunks (32).
Before his tenure in Germany, Osunniyi established himself as an elite professional in Belgium with Limburg United. In 2024, he helped lead his team to a Belgian Cup victory and was honored as the Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Defensive Player of the Year. This professional success followed a storied collegiate career where he recorded 1,372 points, 1,027 rebounds and 340 blocks.
Osunniyi's reputation as a premier rim protector began at St. Bonaventure, where he finished as the program's all-time leader in blocks with 305.
He was the first player in the school's history to be named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he won in both 2021 and 2022. His impact was most visible in 2021 when he anchored a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally and was named the Atlantic 10 Championship Most Outstanding Player after leading the Bonnies to a conference ******* le. Even as a freshman, he led all NCAA Division I freshmen in blocks, signaling his immediate impact on the college game.
In his final collegiate season at Iowa State, Osunniyi continued his dominance, leading the Cyclones in both blocks (35) and dunks (32).
3 months ago
Jun. 25—Mario Saint-Supery and Izan Almansa are expected to link up next season at Gonzaga, but the future teammates could also get time on the court next week when they represent Spain in FIBA World Cup qualifying games against Denmark and Georgia.
Saint-Supery, who started in 17 of 35 games for Gonzaga as a freshman, and Almansa, who committed to Mark Few's program in May, were two of the 14 Spanish players selected to the roster that will play in upcoming qualifying games.
Saint-Supery and Almansa will report to Madrid for training camp on Monday before playing a qualifying game against Denmark on July 2 at Caja Magica in Madrid and Georgia on July 5 in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. The 2027 FIBA World Cup will take place next summer in Qatar.
A native of Malaga, Spain, Saint-Supery has eight international "caps" with the senior national team, competing last summer at the FIBA EuroBasket event that was held in Cyprus, Finland, Poland and Latvia. The Gonzaga point guard appeared in all five games, averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 **** ists and 1.4 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game. Saint-Supery scored double digits in the team's final game against Giannis Antetekounmpo and Greece, recording 14 points on 4 of 9 shooting.
Almansa quietly committed to Gonzaga in May but needs an NCAA waiver approved to suit up for Few's team this fall due to his experience going through the NBA draft process last summer and previously playing in the G League.
Saint-Supery, who started in 17 of 35 games for Gonzaga as a freshman, and Almansa, who committed to Mark Few's program in May, were two of the 14 Spanish players selected to the roster that will play in upcoming qualifying games.
Saint-Supery and Almansa will report to Madrid for training camp on Monday before playing a qualifying game against Denmark on July 2 at Caja Magica in Madrid and Georgia on July 5 in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. The 2027 FIBA World Cup will take place next summer in Qatar.
A native of Malaga, Spain, Saint-Supery has eight international "caps" with the senior national team, competing last summer at the FIBA EuroBasket event that was held in Cyprus, Finland, Poland and Latvia. The Gonzaga point guard appeared in all five games, averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 **** ists and 1.4 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game. Saint-Supery scored double digits in the team's final game against Giannis Antetekounmpo and Greece, recording 14 points on 4 of 9 shooting.
Almansa quietly committed to Gonzaga in May but needs an NCAA waiver approved to suit up for Few's team this fall due to his experience going through the NBA draft process last summer and previously playing in the G League.
3 months ago
With former Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpoon the way to the Miami Heat after a blockbuster trade Monday night, what about his brother Thanasis?
The older Antetokounmpo has played with the Bucks for six of the last seven seasons, missing the 2024-25 season due to a torn Achilles. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 4.4 minutes per game and 1.4 points per game.
Thanasis signed a new contract with the Bucks on Aug. 30, 2025, for one year and $2 million. On June 30, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and until he signs with another team, he will still count as a cap hold against the Bucks. This leaves him open to follow his brother to Miami if the opportunity arises.
Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2015 and played 91 games for their G-league affiliate. The Knicks signed Antetokounmpo to a 10-day contact in 2016 where he played two games, but when that expired, no other team signed him. He played overseas in the Spanish League and for the Greek National Team in EuroBasket until he was signed to a one-year contract by the Bucks for the 2019-20 season. All of his subsequent contracts with the Bucks have been under two years in length.
Thanasis was outspoken surrounding the rumors of Giannis' departure in the lead up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. "What happened to integrity?", he said on his podcast, Thanalysis, seemingly directed at national media figures like ESPN's Shams Charania and Steven A. Smith. He was also known in Milwaukee for his high energy bench presence and being the Bucks good luck charm throughout the 2024-25 season. Before the Bucks 2024 NBA Cup win, they didn't lose a game when he was in attendance.
The older Antetokounmpo has played with the Bucks for six of the last seven seasons, missing the 2024-25 season due to a torn Achilles. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 4.4 minutes per game and 1.4 points per game.
Thanasis signed a new contract with the Bucks on Aug. 30, 2025, for one year and $2 million. On June 30, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and until he signs with another team, he will still count as a cap hold against the Bucks. This leaves him open to follow his brother to Miami if the opportunity arises.
Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2015 and played 91 games for their G-league affiliate. The Knicks signed Antetokounmpo to a 10-day contact in 2016 where he played two games, but when that expired, no other team signed him. He played overseas in the Spanish League and for the Greek National Team in EuroBasket until he was signed to a one-year contract by the Bucks for the 2019-20 season. All of his subsequent contracts with the Bucks have been under two years in length.
Thanasis was outspoken surrounding the rumors of Giannis' departure in the lead up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. "What happened to integrity?", he said on his podcast, Thanalysis, seemingly directed at national media figures like ESPN's Shams Charania and Steven A. Smith. He was also known in Milwaukee for his high energy bench presence and being the Bucks good luck charm throughout the 2024-25 season. Before the Bucks 2024 NBA Cup win, they didn't lose a game when he was in attendance.
3 months ago
With former Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpoon the way to the Miami Heat after a blockbuster trade Monday night, what about his brother Thanasis?
The older Antetokounmpo has played with the Bucks for six of the last seven seasons, missing the 2024-25 season due to a torn Achilles. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 4.4 minutes per game and 1.4 points per game.
Thanasis signed a new contract with the Bucks on Aug. 30, 2025, for one year and $2 million. On June 30, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and until he signs with another team, he will still count as a cap hold against the Bucks. This leaves him open to follow his brother to Miami if the opportunity arises.
Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2015 and played 91 games for their G-league affiliate. The Knicks signed Antetokounmpo to a 10-day contact in 2016 where he played two games, but when that expired, no other team signed him. He played overseas in the Spanish League and for the Greek National Team in EuroBasket until he was signed to a one-year contract by the Bucks for the 2019-20 season. All of his subsequent contracts with the Bucks have been under two years in length.
Thanasis was outspoken surrounding the rumors of Giannis' departure in the lead up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. "What happened to integrity?", he said on his podcast, Thanalysis, seemingly directed at national media figures like ESPN's Shams Charania and Steven A. Smith. He was also known in Milwaukee for his high energy bench presence and being the Bucks good luck charm throughout the 2024-25 season. Before the Bucks 2024 NBA Cup win, they didn't lose a game when he was in attendance.
The older Antetokounmpo has played with the Bucks for six of the last seven seasons, missing the 2024-25 season due to a torn Achilles. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 4.4 minutes per game and 1.4 points per game.
Thanasis signed a new contract with the Bucks on Aug. 30, 2025, for one year and $2 million. On June 30, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and until he signs with another team, he will still count as a cap hold against the Bucks. This leaves him open to follow his brother to Miami if the opportunity arises.
Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis, was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2015 and played 91 games for their G-league affiliate. The Knicks signed Antetokounmpo to a 10-day contact in 2016 where he played two games, but when that expired, no other team signed him. He played overseas in the Spanish League and for the Greek National Team in EuroBasket until he was signed to a one-year contract by the Bucks for the 2019-20 season. All of his subsequent contracts with the Bucks have been under two years in length.
Thanasis was outspoken surrounding the rumors of Giannis' departure in the lead up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. "What happened to integrity?", he said on his podcast, Thanalysis, seemingly directed at national media figures like ESPN's Shams Charania and Steven A. Smith. He was also known in Milwaukee for his high energy bench presence and being the Bucks good luck charm throughout the 2024-25 season. Before the Bucks 2024 NBA Cup win, they didn't lose a game when he was in attendance.
