Team USA just bagged their fifth-straight FIBA World Cup gold medal on Sunday in Berlin, stomping France 97-79. It was another absolutely legendary performance from a squad stacked with talent, especially after they stared down a deep hole earlier in the game. You love to see it, especially with our own Breanna Stewart leading the charge!
The Vets Kicked It Into High Gear To Cement The Standard
This wasn’t some easy cruise, not by a long shot. Team USA was down by as many as 14 points in that first half, and for a minute there, it looked like France, led by Gabby Williams, might actually pull off something wild. But nah, not on their watch. Chelsea Gray brought the stability when things were looking shaky, finishing with 12 points and five assists. Kahleah Copper cranked up her defensive intensity while still fighting for 15 points, showing everyone why she’s built for these big moments. Napheesa Collier was right there with her, bringing that elevated defensive commitment that absolutely suffocated France’s hopes for a gold medal. Then, the third quarter hit, and it was game over. That quintet of vets, including our MVP Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young, set the tone for a monstrous 30-12 run that just flipped the whole final on its head. That’s what we call a championship mentality, flipping a game that was trending the wrong way into another dominant win.
Stewart and Young Ran Wild, Stacking Trophies
Our very own Breanna Stewart, already known for a trophy case that needs its own zip code, reminded the world why she is simply built different. She went absolutely off, dropping 22 points on a ridiculous 70 percent shooting, snatching 10 rebounds, and dishing out four assists. And yeah, that effort snagged her another trophy: World Cup MVP. That’s right, folks, Stewie is now the first-ever two-time World Cup MVP! Let that sink in. Jackie Young was right there with her, putting on a clinic that screamed “Player of the Game.” She dropped 18 points, knocking down four-of-seven from deep, plus adding six rebounds and five assists. Young’s resume is already insane, being the only player with a high school state title, NCAA title, WNBA title, 3×3 Olympic gold, 5×5 Olympic gold, and now a FIBA World Cup gold. Both Stewart and Young were rightfully named to the All-Star Five. What a duo!
Team USA Keeps Setting The Bar
As Breanna Stewart herself said after the game, Team USA is “the standard.” And you better believe every player wearing that red, white, and blue understands it’s their job to not just meet it, but to absolutely extend it. Those vets, with that ferocious third-quarter comeback, did exactly that. And it’s not just them, either. The next generation like Aliyah Boston with her defensive versatility, Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard with their defensive playmaking, and Caitlin Clark with her clutch shotmaking, all followed suit, building on the gold medal momentum. France played hard, and Gabby Williams looked like the best player on the court for a while, but in the final 20 minutes, Team USA just overwhelmed them. For us Emerald City fans, it just makes us even more pumped to see Stewie back at T-Mobile Park (figuratively, you know!) next season with the Storm. With that kind of world-beating talent, you know the future is bright!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
Leave a Reply