00:00We tip off this week in Puerto Rico with action from the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in
00:07San Juan.
00:09And after a pair of big wins to open the competition, the United States took on Eurobasket bronze medalist Italy.
00:19Kaitlyn Clark continued a strong start to her first senior international competition.
00:24And deep three! And there's Kaitlyn Clark for her first triple of the game. It's the classic sidestep triple.
00:32Chelsea Gray was running the show with Kalia Copper, the recipient.
00:36From a double up pass to Kalia Copper. What can Chelsea Gray do?
00:41And Team USA proved far too strong.
00:45Passes right back out to Becker. Spots up from deep, and it's good for three points. That's a chance to
00:51make it a four-point play.
00:53Copper had 15 points to lead five Americans in double figures, including Gray, who had 11 and 8 assists.
01:00The United States winning this one 93-59.
01:04We're playing for something bigger than, you know, just this moment.
01:08We're trying to build habits. We're trying to, obviously the culture is winning, but we're building habits to get there.
01:13It just doesn't happen in a day.
01:16Despite the defeat, Italy could clinch its World Cup place with victory the following night
01:21against a Spain squad, which had qualified courtesy of a 3-0 start.
01:27Morella Koubai down with the board.
01:29I would not want to guard her in the open court and make that one look.
01:34And the Italians were on top for much of the first half.
01:38Again, this time, kicks it out to Sarah Manier.
01:40That one is good for a little stop and hop.
01:44Spain responded through Megan Gustafsson.
01:47Maybe from the Lothbro, but they did score the first three and down.
01:55Gustafsson loves a trailing three and it doesn't stop now.
02:00But with the game on the line, Italy was able to knock down the big shots.
02:29It was 32 years that our women national team didn't make it to.
02:33So, a single World Cup tournament.
02:38So, that says it all.
02:39I'm super proud of my team, of my teammates.
02:42We fight until the end today and we really show our heart once more.
02:48So, I'm just very proud.
02:50The Italians closed with victory over Senegal to finish second in the San Juan tournament
02:55behind the U.S., which completed a perfect campaign with victory over Spain.
03:00Host nation Puerto Rico's final day win over New Zealand saw it also move through to the World Cup.
03:08To China, where another of the four World Cup qualifying tournaments was being held in Wuhan.
03:14The home side opening its campaign against Malian.
03:18The move's given them a five-zip start.
03:21And the Malians kept pace early.
03:24She's ready to go.
03:25Caught it deep.
03:26And Eric got the O-board to keep it alive.
03:28And now it's one of C-Safe's baseline adding to the tally.
03:31But they had no answer for Zhang Ziyu.
03:35Now they post her up once more.
03:36The price range too big and strong.
03:38She gets it done and draws a foul.
03:40She's excited about it as well and says she should be.
03:42Well, she is.
03:43She's showing a lot of composure for, you know, an 18-year-old.
03:48Before Lee Uru closed it out down the stretch.
03:52Lee Uru turns with a left hand.
03:54Nice finish.
03:55Rules the foul.
03:56It's a three-point play here for the veteran Lee Uru.
04:03Just see.
04:04Works it inside of the foul.
04:06Lee Uru gets it down and draws a foul.
04:08Lee Uru finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds as China took it 81-68.
04:15Young Xu Yu adding 14, 7 boards and 7 assists.
04:19Kamite Elizabeth Dabu had 15 for Mali.
04:26China would go on to beat South Sudan to seal a World Cup berth,
04:30finishing with a 4-1 record,
04:32second behind already qualified FIBA Women's Eurobasket champion Belgium.
04:37Mali and Czechia also advanced,
04:39having the better of a three-way tie with Brazil.
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