BRNO (Czechia) - It proved to be a momentous first day of action at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 as Nigeria collected their first ever win in the competition, while USA hit new heights with a record-breaking score in their first outing.
There was also a fantastic individual accomplishment recorded for Brazil's Julia Preis as she swatted 8 shots to register the joint highest tally in history.
One to remember as Nigeria win a thriller
As if a dramatic 93-88 win for Nigeria over China wasn't enough, it was made extra special by the fact it was their maiden success in the competition.
Fuelled by a flawless 8 of 8 shooting show from Nora Ezike who netted 25 points in the contest, the frontcourt ace was ice cold in a game that China almost came back to win at the end. The Group B defeat was tough on Kejia Ran who finished with a brilliant double-double of 28 points and 12 boards, while teammate Fengwei Xu dished out 10 assists.
USA cut down Korea to tip-off title defense with new record high
It took just one game for USA to underline just how much they want to defend their precious crown as they blasted their way past Korea 134-53.
That was the highest tally any team has ever scored in the entire history of the competition as they moved past their previous best of 129.
Sienna Betts was the standout figure for the reigning champions as the center dropped 25 points from an 11 of 12 shooting effort and also added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Meanwhile Saniyah Hall racked up 23 points alongside her.
France catch fire despite Brazil's blocking machine Preis
It didn't take long for France to justify their medal credentials with a dominant 83-47 success against Brazil. In a peformance full of flair, athleticism, power and poise, they demonstrated their depth and quality in a big way.
Nell Angloma was at the heart of their success and registered an all-action 21 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Meanwhile the victory came despite Julia Preis equaling the all-time blocks record in the competition. The Brazilian center swatted 8 shots in defeat and put her name joint top of the historical chart.
Swords helps Canada cut down first-timers Portugal
Canada never missed a beat in their first outing of the tournament as they swept aside rookies Portugal 88-49 in a blistering Group B display.
Demonstrating their wealth of options, they prospered from 40 points off the bench, while also enjoying the leadership of Syla Swords. The guard stole the show and finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals., with her College teammate Mila Holloway adding 12 points and 5 assists.
Israel make it rain but denied history by Hungary
It was tough to take for debutantes Israel as they went down 86-82 to Hungary in a shootout that saw the former drop a staggering 17 triples in the contest. That was the second highest tally of downtown buckets by any team in FIBA U19 Women's Basketball History.
Gal Raviv showed out with 35 points and made 7 of 9 from long-range, while Maayan Cohen also made 7 from behind the arc. But Hungary had their own hero in Eszter Ratkai who finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, with Kinga Josepovits also exceptional, doing the business in the paint with 14 points and 12 boards.
Other results
- Japan inflicted heartbreak on host nation Czechia by locking them down 65-50. It was the highly-rated Otoha Goto who led her team with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
- Spain started slow but took a 68-47 Group D win against Argentina thanks to a shared 22 points from Maria Anais Rodriguez and Somtochukwu Okafor. Nerea Lagoswki tallied a super 15 points and 12 boards for Argentina.
FIBA