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March 13, 2026

Pay Attention to These 10 Players in World Cup Qualifiers

EJ Arocho

1. Caitlin Clark | USA

The biggest and most followed star in women's basketball made her senior national team debut on Wednesday and recorded a double-double vs Senegal (17 PTS & 12 ASTS) in Puerto Rico. Her shooting range and playmaking makes her the most watchable offensive player in the field. Every defense will be built around slowing her down.


2. Dominique Malonga | France

6'6" with a 7'1" wingspan and supreme athleticism, she threw down a one-handed dunk on Wednesday in France's Qualifying opener vs Philippines en-route to 21 PTS. She brings excitement and electricity on both offense and defense and is one of the brightest young stars in the world.


3. Zhang Ziyu | China

It's not often you see a 7'2" basketball player, man or woman. The 19-year old giant is must-see TV as she is the tallest women's hooper on the planet! She is the focus of everyone's scouting report and maneuvers through double, triple and even quadruple teams wonderfully. She poured in 12 PTS in 12 minutes in China's opener vs Mali in Wuhan.


4. Angel Reese | USA

One of the most followed basketball players in the world, AR is a bonafide global superstar bringing new eyes to the sport with every game she plays. Her senior national team debut saw stats of 6 PTS & 8 REBS vs Senegal. She is sure to bring the energy, defense, grit, and tenacious rebounding she's famous for.


5. Kamilla Cardoso | Brazil

A dominant 6'7" center, Cardoso went off for a monster double-double vs South Sudan on Thursday, tallying 23 PTS & 17 REBS. She anchors Brazil's frontcourt with rim protection and rebounding. She is, without a doubt, one of their two most important players, along with Damiris Dantas.


6. Paige Bueckers | USA

PB made her senior national team debut vs Senegal and chipped in 9 PTS, 4 REBS, 3 ASTS & 1 STL in just 14 minutes. She is one of the most elite mid-range scorers and smartest offensive players not only in the tournament, but anywhere in the world. Bueckers is built different and made for big moments just like these.


7. Aaliyah Edwards | Canada

Li's versatility and never-back-down mentality is worth every second of viewership! She's fresh off a huge season at Unrivaled and comes into FIBA play in-shape and ready for battle. In Canada's opener vs Turkey, she tallied 10 PTS, 6 REBS, 2 ASTS, 1 STL & 2 BLKS. She is one of the young WNBA players who are shaping the future of international basketball.


8. Dorka Juhasz | Hungary

The UConn alum is one of Hungary's key players as they navigate through an incredibly tough qualifying group. The 6'3" stretch forward rebounds well, spaces the floor and is an efficient scorer. She made a huge statement in their opener vs Japan, pouring in 35 PTS on 15 for 22 shooting.


9. Megan Gustafson | Spain

Two games in and Spain looks like a well-oiled machine! The Iowa alum and current member of the Vegas Aces has a lot to do with their 2-0 start. She poured in 20 PTS in their opener vs New Zealand and followed that up with domination on the boards Thursday vs Senegal, pulling down a game-high 10 REBS Fundamentally sound and efficient game.


10. Awa Fam | Spain

Fam is regarded by many as the top pick in the WNBA draft and possesses a mix of supreme athleticism, size and post scoring. She has strong defensive instincts, rare physical tools and an offensive bag that is still expanding. An efficient performance vs Senegal on Thursday tallied 9 PTS on 4 for 5 shooting, 4 REBS & 2 ASTS.

About the Author

EJ Arocho is Mr. Women’s Basketball and lives in New Jersey. Lives by the shore but looking to make waves everywhere!

Pay Attention to These 10 Players in World Cup Qualifiers
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