MUNICH (Germany) - There were some superb individual displays right across all four of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments.
We've picked out the stars that did the most to take care of business for their respective teams in Wuhan, Istanbul, Lyon-Villeurbanne and San Juan.
Melisa Gretter - Argentina
Stats: 9.8 PPG / 4.8 APG / 4.6 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 13.0 EFF
The playmaker lived up to her reputation as Argentina's main baller with a productive effort. She rolled back the years to show she can still punch at the highest level. Her finely balanced competitive streak and class was shown by leading in efficiency, assists, rebounds and steals.
Sami Whitcomb - Australia
Stats: 13.8 PPG / 2.8 RPG / 2.2 APG / 2.2 SPG / 14.4 EFF
A class act, Whitcomb scooped the TISSOT MVP accolade in Istanbul as she went to work in a big way for the Opals. She was one of the main reasons Australia were able to record an unbeaten campaign as she showed her scoring touch, but also excellent defensive skills too.
Julie Allemand - Belgium
Stats: 9.4 PPG / 5.6 APG / 5.0 RPG / 3.4 SPG / 19.4 EFF
The TISSOT MVP in Wuhan. Allemand showed she is not all about dishing out dimes. She led the way in steals, also grabbing a tournament game-high steals record. Belgium passed the ball like crazy and that was why they were unbeaten, with Allemand the central figure in that great play.
Damiris Dantas - Brazil
Stats: 22.0 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 19.6 EFF
The number 9 ranked nation in the world. it was a disappointment not to make it to Berlin, making it bitter-sweet for veteran campaigner Dantas. She did everything possible to propel her country to the main show, but despite excellent numbers and leadership, it wasn't to be.
Aaliyah Edwards - Canada
Stats: 12.6 PPG / 61 FG % / 9.0 APG / 17.6 EFF
This was her best tournament to date for Canada and it felt like she took a big step forward on the global stage with her powerful performances. She shot the ball well, was a rebounding machine at some key times and looks ready to be Canada's 'Queen of the Paint' for years to come.
Shuyu Yang - China
Stats: 10.6 PPG / 5.4 APG / 3.4 RPG / 1.2 SPG / 14.8 EFF
All the talk heading into the competition was about China's triple towers, but Yang showed everyone that they also have guard's that need to be respected too. She led her side to four wins from their five games and impressed with her energy, creativity and scoring touch.
Marta Moscarella - Colombia
Stats: 8.2 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 11.2 EFF
While Colombia wouldn't have been expecting a victory, missing out in a double-digit defeat to Philippines was a disappointment. At least Moscarella was able to hold her head up high for being the best player on the roster and leading her side in efficiency.
Emma Cechova - Czechia
Stats: 14.4PPG / 6.8 RPG / 2.0 SPG / 18.0 EFF
Czechia's young gun showed outstanding maturity in Wuhan and cemented her status as the new leader at the senior level. She made some great decisions around shot selection which contributed to almost 15 points per game, crashed the glass well and was infuential defensively.
Janelle Salaun - France
Stats: 16.7 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 0.3 APG / 19.7 EFF
The TISSOT MVP in Lyon-Villeurbanne, this was another excellent showing from Salaun, who sometimes doesn't get the credit or hype for her contributions. The forward hit top gear to showcase her slick game, with her smooth shooting and mobility causing headaches for opposing defenses.
Frieda Buhner - Germany
Stats: 13.2 PPG / 5.2 RPG/ 14.8 EFF
Still only 21 years-old, the sky is the limit for Buhner who continues to show she can shine at the highest level, despite a lack of experience. Her remarkable run of form since her Paris 2024 introduction was extended, scoring points, grabbbing boards and using her impressive smarts so well.
Dorka Juhasz - Hungary
Stats: 18.0 PPG / 9.0 RPG / 1.8 APG / 1.0 BPG / 20.2 EFF
Playing in Istanbul as she does with city powerhouse Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring, Juhasz did the business for Hungary and started off with a spectacular and memorable opening against Japan. Her strength, size, touch and leadership were all big plus points for her country.
Cecilia Zandalasini - Italy
Stats: 13.8 PPG / 2.8 RPG / 2.0 APG / 12.0 EFF It was all eyes on Zandalasini when Italy needed to beat Spain to secure their place in Berlin. The guard showed why she is such a big-time player by coming up with a game-winning performance. Leading by example during the tournament, she remains their marquee player.
Mai Yamamoto - Japan
Stats: 15.0 PPG / 3.6 APG / 2.0 RPG / 13.8 EFF
This will have been a relief to Yamamoto as she returned to the level of play that everyone knows she can produce when sat at the top table. Her quickness, scoring power and court vision were all on show in Istanbul as she featured in almost all of Japan's best moments at the event.
Leeseul Kang - Korea
Stats: 18.6 PPG / 3.0 RPG / 1.8 APG / 0.6 SPG / 15.0 EFF
What a tournament is has been for Korea who showed they could be about to have a renaissance at the highest level. That will be led by Kang on this evidence as she made the All-Star Five in Lyon-Villeurbanne by shooting the lights out and breaking the all-time game-high record for triples.
Maimouna Haidara - Mali
Stats: 15.8 PPG / 6.8 RPG / 3.8 APG / 2.6 SPG / 19.0 EFF
It was a breakout tournament on the senior stage for Haidara. A killer at the FIBA U19 Worlds for her country with her ruthless play, she took that into this competition with an energetic, imposing all-around show. She led Mali in efficiency, points and steals.
Ella Tofaeono - New Zealand
Stats: 11.0 PPG / 4.4 RPG / 2.0 APG / 12.6 EFF
The forward did her best to inspire the Tall Ferns and help them grab a precious ticket to Berlin, but it wasn't to be. That was despite an impressive 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists during the last day do-or-die game against Puerto Rico.
Victoria Macaulay - Nigeria
Stats: 13.6 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 2.4 APG / 16.4 EFF
With her vast experience and hard-nosed game, Macaulay continues to be a warrior for Nigeria in the paint. She was the pick for the African champions who had a mixed tournament but will likely tunr up the dial when they take to the court for the main event in September.
Kacey Dela Rosa - Philippines
Stats: 15.6 PPG / 8.6 RPG / 2.2 BPG / 18.8 EFF
This was a tremendous display from the the Philippines star, taking on the mantle of team leader with others absent. She showed she can cause damage at the elite level with the different ways she can score the ball and she was the driving force behind a historic first win for Gilas Pilipinas.
Imani McGee-Stafford - Puerto Rico
Stats: 9.8 PPG / 8.2 RPG / 1.2 BPG / 13.0 EFF
Her first major tournament with Puerto Rico, her influence was positive and undeniable for the host nation. It was largely through her presence as a rock inside and thanks to her last day double-double, they were able to slide into this year's showpiece in Berlin.
Khadija Faye - Senegal
Stats: 9.8 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 9.8 EFF
As expected it was a tough tournament for the African nation and perhaps highlighted by not player getting into double-digits for scoring or efficiency. At least Faye can reflect on still posing the biggest threat and was excellent with her double-double against Puerto Rico.
Nyamer Diew - South Sudan
Stats: 17.2 PPG / 6.4 RPG / 1.8 APG / 17.8 EFF
Even if it was not the tournament that the global newcomers had hoped for in Wuhan, the fact they couldn't take a historic first win should not overshadow the work of Diew. Strong, smart and with nice consistency, she led her team in scoring and also did great work on the boards too.
Megan Gustafson - Spain
Stats: 14.6 PPG / 6.4 RPG / 1.4 BPG / 17.4 EFF
Having another quality performer in the paint was a big boost for Spain and Gustafson did her job by propelling them to Berlin. Her physicality and scoring ability give her team an added thrust and she was instrumental in the early games to get Spain a ticket in just three games.
Kennedy Burke - Türkiye
Stats: 16.4 PPG / 8.2 RPG / 1.4 SPG / 1.0 BPG / 16.2 EFF
Handed the naturalized slot for the hosts, Burke came up big in crunch wins against Canada and Japan which sealed their Berlin spot. Her ability to score inside and out gave her side an added dimension, while her defensive match up quality against opposing stars was vital too.
Caitlin Clark - USA
Stats: 11.6 PPG / 6.4 APG / 14.6 EFF
Last but not least, it's the TISSOT MVP from San Juan. Clark's debut was one of the most anticipated in the history of women's hoops and she came up with the goods. With more than 6 assists per game, she pulled the strings brilliantly and now everyone can't wait to see her step out in Berlin.
FIBA