FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 – Team Profile: Dominican Republic

MIAMI (United States) – The Dominican Republic claimed its first silver medal in 22 years—and fifth overall—at the 2024 Centrobasket Women’s Championship, delivering an excellent performance. However, one of the key players from that tournament, forward Esmery Martínez, will not be available for the AmeriCup. Her absence leaves a significant gap to fill in terms of offensive production and leadership.

The Quisqueyana squad will need a strong collective effort to be able to compete head-to-head with the continent’s top teams and have a chance at advancing.

Several players who have not yet had a prominent role on the national team will need to step up and contribute on both ends of the floor, meanwhile the more experienced core will be expected to maintain consistent performance and leadership. The Dominican Republic is currently ranked No. 34 in the FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike, and No. 7 in the Americas.

Tournament history

Dominican Republic has participated in 12 editions of the tournament. The team was part of the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1989 and has recorded three sixth-place finishes (1989, 1999, 2005), its best results to date. Most recently, it placed 10th in 2023.

Players to watch

At the 2024 Centrobasket, 21-year-old Cesarina Capellán emerged as the team’s standout performer. She was named to the All-Star Five and played a key role in securing the silver medal, averaging 24.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. In Spain’s top women’s league, she recently averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 23 minutes per game with Unicaja Málaga.

In the absence of Esmery Martínez—who was Capellán’s ideal partner at Centrobasket (18.2 points and 11.6 rebounds). Veteran Yohanna Morton will continue to play a key role for the team. With 20 years of service on the national squad, the point guard is one of the most accomplished players in Dominican basketball history. At the most recent Centrobasket, she proved she still has plenty to offer, averaging 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Other veterans like Génesis Evangelista, Giocelis Reynoso, and Yenifer Jiménez will also be expected to step up in Martínez’s absence.

Head coach: Alberto Zabala

Cuban head coach Alberto Zabala took over the team in 2020, bringing extensive experience from his time with Cuba’s national programs. He worked with both youth teams and the senior women’s squad. Since joining the Dominican Republic, he has helped the team make significant progress. Last year, they achieved their best result under his guidance, winning the silver medal at the Centrobasket Women’s Championship—a feat the team hadn’t accomplished in over two decades.

Zabala has managed to incorporate young talent projected to be the future of the national team, while also making the most of the leadership and experience of veteran players.

Outlook

The Dominican Republic will compete in Group A alongside Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and El Salvador. They will open the tournament against El Salvador in what could be a decisive game for advancing to the Quarter-Finals. The two teams faced off at Centrobasket, where the Dominican Republic won comfortably (85–65). Facing the three higher-ranked opponents, the goal will be to stay competitive and attempt an upset or two. Securing one of the six available spots for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments would be considered a major success.

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