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.
00:08And 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.
00:24Deep three! And there's Kaitlyn Clark for her first triple of the game.
00:29It's the classic sidestep triple.
00:32Chelsea Gray was running the show with Kalia Copper, the recipient.
00:36No one has to Kalia Copper. What can Chelsea Gray do?
00:41And Team USA proved far too strong.
00:44Passes right back out to Becker. Spots up from deep, and it's good for three points.
00:49That's a chance to make 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, the
01:00United States winning this one 93-59.
01:04We're playing for something bigger than, you know, just this moment. We're trying to build habits. We're trying to, obviously
01:10the culture is winning, but we're building habits to get there. It just doesn't happen in a day.
01:16Despite the defeat, Italy could clinch its World Cup place with victory the following night against a Spain squad, which
01:23had qualified courtesy of a 3-0 start.
01:26No relic goodbye down with the board.
01:29Zandalicini, I would not want to guard her in the open court.
01:34And the Italians were on top for much of the first half.
01:44Spain responded through Megan Gustafsson.
01:55Gustafsson loves a trailing three, and it doesn't stop now.
01:59But with the game on the line, Italy was able to knock down the big shots.
02:28It was 32 years that our women national team didn't make it to a single World Cup.
02:37Tournament, so that says it all, I'm super proud of my team, all my teammates.
02:42We fight until the end today, and we really show our heart once more, so I'm just very proud.
02:50The Italians closed with victory over Senegal to finish second in the San Juan tournament behind the US, which completed
02:57a perfect campaign with victory over Spain.
02:59Host 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.
03:13The home side opening its campaign against Mali.
03:17Now Mali's giving them a five-zip start.
03:21And the Malians kept pace early.
03:23She's ready to go. Caught it deep.
03:25Maliere's got the O-board to keep it alive, and now it's Mamasisek baseline adding to the tally.
03:31But they had no answer for Zhang Ziyu.
03:34Now they post her up once more.
03:36The pulse range too big and strong.
03:38She puts it down 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 Li Yuru closed it out down the stretch.
03:52Li Yuru turns for the left hand.
04:08Li Yuru finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds as China took it 81-68.
04:14Young Shu Yu adding 14, 7 boards and 7 assists.
04:18Kamite Elizabeth Dabu had 15 for Mali.
04:26China would go on to beat South Sudan to seal a World Cup berth, finishing with a 4-1 record,
04:32second behind already qualified FIBA Women's Eurobasket champion Belgium.
04:37Mali and Czechia also advanced, having the better of a three-way tie with Brazil.
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