SYDNEY (Australia) - There's less than a week until the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 swings into action, so here's some key numbers connected to the flagship competition and the story behind them.

19

is the number of FIBA Hall of Famers that have played in this famous competition

Chinese legend Haixia Zheng took her team to a best ever silver medal in 1994

Of the 21 All-Time FIBA Hall of Fame female inductees, only two did not play at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup down the years (Liliana Ronchetti of Italy and Penka Stoyanova of Bulgaria). The list of those who have played is incredible. as you might expect and includes legends like Hortencia Marcari, Anne Donovan, Uljana Semjonova, Haixia Zheng and Teresa Edwards. 

70

is the number of Opals' wins in the competition (All-Time #2)

When Australia headed to Tenerife four years ago,  they were four wins behind second placed Soviet Union in the All-Time win list. But in their super run to the silver medal,  they got the five victories needed to move behind USA who now have 109 triumphs to their name. Their landmark 70th victory came in the Semi-Finals against Spain - one of the most exciting of the last edition.

0

is the number of players who have won the MVP title more than once

Are we heading for a historical first? Could the 2018 winner Breanna Stewart become the first ever baller in the history of the competition to be crowned MVP twice? You have to think it is feasible with 'Stewie' likely to spearhead USA's campaign again!

4

is the number of nations that have stood on top of the podium

Soviet Union won the last of their six titles in 1983 when they beat USA to the silverware

Only USA (10 times), Soviet Union (6 times), Brazil  (1 time) and Australia (1 time) have ever been crowned winners of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

35

is the number of #FIBAWWC games Opals' Legend Lauren Jackson has played in

Getting ready to play in a staggering fifth edition of the event, Lauren Jackson has been synonymous with the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Not only playing 35 games between 1998 and 2010 (her last appearance) but also taking the Opals to that historic first title in 2006. 

16

is the number of consecutive tournament appearances equally held by Korea and USA

Korea lined up in  2014 in Istanbul with their youngest ever team

Both USA and Korea has appeared at the last 15 editions in a row, the streak starting in 1964 in Peru and extending to this forthcoming edition. USA missed out in 1959 in Moscow due to political difficulties and Korea did not play in 1953, 1957 or 1959.

30,000

is the number of spectators who watched Chile against USA in 1953

USA won the first-ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Chile with a 4-1 record and in front of huge crowds

There was huge excitement around the inaugural competition, with a specially built wooden platform constructed inside the national stadium in Santiago and a staggering 30,000 fans watching a pulsating climax to the competition. Local favorites and host nation Chile went up against the USA in the last game, with both teams holding identical 3-1 records. But Chile had to settle for silver, with the USA taking a 49-36 victory. The drama didn't stop when the curtain came down on the games themselves! The USA were unable to take their prestigious silverware home because of its size. The trophy was too big to fit through the 'bomb bay' doors of a U.S. B-17 plane!

13

is number of assists Julie Allemand handed out to tie the game-high record

It was a stunning performance by Belgian Cats' guard Julie Allemand when she dished up 13 dimes for her country in a Quarter-Finals derby win against neighbors France four years ago. That was enough to tie the All-Time record for assists in a single game.

22

is the USA's current winning streak in the tournament

Their last loss came in the famous 2006 Semi-Finals clash against Russia. They bounced back to take bronze in the Third Place Game and have never lost since, going on to win three titles in a row undefeated in 2010, 2014 and 2018. The 2018 Final success against Australia in Tenerife was the 22nd win in a row for the champions.

54

is the total numbers of nations that have played at the event

Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only debutantes in Sydney

A total of 54 nations have previously featured at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and when the actions gets underway in Sydney, Bosnia and Herzegovina will make sure that number moves to 55. The European nation is preparing to make its debut. 

31.5

is the incredible all-time tournament high average for points per game

Posted at the 1990 edition, Brazilian ace and FIBA Hall of Fame legend Hortencia was absolutely unstoppable as usual. The baller who many consider the GOAT of the female game was top scorer in the competition at a jaw-dropping four editions. Her numbers in 1990 were stunning, racking up 38 points against Japan and 44 points against China in the last two games. 

9

is the number for Korea's current losing streak in the competition

It has been a lean few years for Korea in recent editions having once made the Final back in 1967

They were 0-3 at the last edition in Tenerife, the same in 2014 in Turkey and during the 2010 edition in Czech Republic they lost their last three games, Their last victory came on September 29 in 2010 when they beat Asian rivals Japan in a one-point thriller. Breaking the streak will be the first task - although tough without their leader Jisu Park. Perhaps Puerto Rico will prove the most likely opponent to give them an opportunity to win for the first time in 12 years in the tournament. 

FIBA