RAROTONGA (Cook Islands) - The rise of Cook Islands women’s basketball has been one of Oceania’s most compelling stories in recent years - a testament to belief, community strength, and the power of opportunity.
In 2026, that story reaches another milestone as the Cook Islands U18 Women’s National Team prepares to compete in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division B for the first time in the island nation’s history.
“It’s a humbling experience to represent my little paradise," Cook Islands Forward Aphrodite Piri said. “The Cook Islands is the centre of the Universe, and I really hope us playing in this competition inspires young Cook Islanders to follow their dreams and what they are passionate about.”
Their qualification is not a coincidence. It’s the result of a steady, determined climb built on the achievements of Cook Islands women at every level of the game.
The breakthrough moment came in 2025, when the Cook Islands U17 Women stunned the region with a historic bronze-medal finish at the FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Cup, the nation’s first-ever medal at a FIBA youth event.
That victory was more than a medal, it shifted expectations. It showed young Cook Islands athletes that they could stand tall against the region’s traditional powerhouses.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Lebanon. One of my closest friends has a cousin playing for them, so that will be fun,” Piri said. “But also, playing against all of the other Asian teams will be new competition for us, and we’re expecting really high-quality games.”
But the foundation for this success was laid even earlier.
At the 2023 Pacific Games, the Cook Islands senior women’s team captured silver, their best-ever finish, and earned qualification for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup – Division B in 2025. And that achievement ignited a wave of pride across the islands and inspired a new generation of girls to pick up a basketball.
Now, the U18 Women’s team carries that momentum into the continental level, ready to represent their nation, their families, and the wider Pacific community on a new stage.
For the Cook Islands, home to around 17,000 people, every international appearance carries a deeply personal weight, echoing the pride and resilience woven through Pacific diaspora communities.
Head Coach Keziah Lewis, who also represents the Cook Islands at senior level, says this moment is bigger than sport.
“It’s a humbling experience to represent my little paradise," she said. "I’m a proud Cook Islander, raised in the islands, I get to promote my beautiful country and my family on the international stage."
"Our girls are stepping into history,” Lewis added. “They’re carrying the dreams of our small nation and the legacy of every Cook Islands woman who has fought for opportunities in basketball.
We may be small, but our heart, our culture, and our pride are huge.
Lewis has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity, blending discipline with joy, competitiveness with cultural connection. Her dual role as a national women’s player and youth coach gives her a unique perspective on what this tournament means for the future of Cook Islands basketball.
The Cook Islands’ debut at the U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division B is more than a milestone; it’s a statement. It signals that women’s basketball in Oceania is expanding, strengthening, and creating new pathways for young athletes from small island nations through to the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup pathways.
For the players, it’s a chance to test themselves against new styles, new opponents, and new pressures. For the Cook Islands, it’s another moment to celebrate how far their women have come, and how far they can still go.
“I really want to compete to the best of my ability, stay present, and represent my country with pride - Kia Orana e Kia Manuia," Piri closed.
FIBA