MIES (Switzerland) - Since its inaugural event in 1953, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup has had the game's best players and national teams put on dazzling, memorable shows.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, join us and reflect on what we think are arguably the best five performances of the event of all time.

Hortencia Marcari, 1983

Viewed by some as the best South American player of all time and the greatest World Cup player of all time, Brazil's Hortencia had no equals when it came to putting the ball in the basket. One day more than another, July 28, 1983, is evidence of her brilliance. The 1.74m (5ft 8in) shooting guard erupted for a World Cup record 46 points in Brazil's tournament opening 74-60 triumph over Yugoslavia. Brazil, playing on home soil, finished fifth at that World Cup but would go on to capture the title at the event 11 years later in Australia. The 46 points remains the most points scored in a World Cup game.

 Cheryl Miller, 1986

The stage appeared to be set for the Soviet Union to defend the title they had won three years before in Brazil, when they won all 10 of their games, including two over the USA by a combined three points. Not only were they the holders, but also playing on home soil in 1986. Led by Miller, who had been a leader in the 1983 team, the USA beat the Soviets in the '86 Final, in Moscow, 108-88. Miller put an exclamation mark on her tournament with 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Americans.

Jung Sunmin, 2002

The coach calling the shots these days for Korea is someone the players can truly look up to because, in her day, she was among the finest players in international basketball. Indeed, Jung erupted for 42 points against Lithuania on September 20 at the World Cup 20 years ago in China. The 1.86m (6ft 1in) center left it all out on the court that day, playing all 40 minutes as Korea prevailed in an important game, 76-60. Included in that incredible scoring display was a perfect 18 of 18 showing at the free-throw line. She made 46 of her 48 attempts at the event, where Korea finished fourth. Her 95.8% shooting from the line not surprisingly ranked first.

Lauren Jackson, 2006

The performance in this case isn't a specific game, but rather the full body of work. From her 31 points in Australia's first game, a 95-55 win over Senegal, to her last, 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Final, a 91-74 victory to Australia, Jackson was the most dominating player at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2006 in Brazil, where the Opals captured their one and only title. In her lowest scoring game, 11 points in a 72-68 victory over Spain, Jackson still had a double-double with 13 rebounds. She finished with four double-doubles - second most at the World Cup - and averaged team highs in points (21.3ppg) and rebounds (8.9). Her scoring average was first overall in the tournament, her rebounding was second and her 11 blocked shots were fourth.

Sancho Lyttle, 2010

Spain reached the podium of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2010, a tournament when Lyttle was spectacular. In one game, particularly, on September 28 against hosts and eventual finalists Czech Republic, the 1.96m (6ft 5in) center was unstoppable, scoring 18 points and corralling 19 rebounds to lead her adopted country to a 77-57 win. Lyttle was a statistical giant at the event and was named to the All-Star Five. She was the second leading scorer (18.4ppg), the top rebounder (11.5), top offensive rebounder (4.6orpg), seventh in steals (14), second in field goal percentage (57%). At the next World Cup in Turkey, one year after being named EuroBasket Women MVP, Lyttle led the tournament in scoring.

Honorable Mention

Diana Taurasi, 2018

Many believe Taurasi is the greatest player of all time. In those difficult moments of big games, no one is better. Even in the latter stages of her career with the USA, Taurasi has been the one player that no opponent stops. In a thrilling Semi-Final against Belgium at the FIBA Women's World Cup 2018 in Tenerife and with the USA leading 40-39 at the start of the second half, Taurasi hit not one, not two, but three consecutive 3-pointers for the Americans and went on to score 26 points in their toughest game of the tournament. She ended up 5 of 10 from the arc, 7 of 13 from the floor overall and a perfect 7 of 7 at the free-throw line. 

Penny Taylor, 2006

Having already poured in 26 points in a Semi-Final win over Brazil, Taylor saved her best for the Final in the 2006 World Cup. She erupted for 28 points and also corralled 9 rebounds and came up with three steals in one of the greatest Final displays of all time. Afterward, she was named MVP of the World Cup. It is probably the crowning moment of a legendary career for Taylor, who also reached the podium at two other World Cups and two Olympics.

Zheng Haixia, 1994

In a fantastic Semi-Final at the World Cup in Sydney, China needed an enormous lift from their big center (seen above at the '96 Olympics) against hosts Australia and she turned in the performance of a lifetime with 36 points and 14 rebounds. China edged the Opals, 66-65 to reach the Final for the first and only time.

FIBA