Paige Bueckers had a great FIBA Women’s World Cup senior national team debut. The Dallas Wings star scored 14 points, dished out four assists and had two steals in Team USA’s 94-61 win against China.
Bueckers also represented Team USA in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico. She helped the national squad finish with a 5-0 record in the tournament last March.
This time around, Bueckers is aiming to help Team USA defend its FIBA World Cup gold medal. She joins fellow WNBA stars Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, and fellow World Cup debutant Caitlin Clark.
FIBA expressed its delight in welcoming Bueckers to the World Cup stage by posting her highlights from Friday’s win over China.
“We’re grateful to watch you, PB 🙏 ,” the caption read.
The Wings star is just in his second year in the WNBA, but she’s already a two-time All-Star. This season, she’s averaging 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for Dallas. Bueckers is also the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year.
As for the World Cup, Team USA will face Italy on Sunday for their next game. They will then close out their Group D games when they face the Czech Republic on Monday.
Bueckers and Co. will secure an outright spot in the quarterfinals if they win all three of their group stage games. The Americans have won four straight World Cup titles, and their goal is to bring home a fifth consecutive gold medal back to the U.S.
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