COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - Reigning champions USA look destined to extend their incredible FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup legacy when they take to the court in Brno, Czechia for this year's edition of the tournament.
The holders have named a strong roster for July's competition, with Ivanna Wilson Manyacka set to lead their defense of the coveted silverware.
The forward is searching for a golden double, having been the youngest player on the roster two years ago, when USA won the 2024 edition in Mexico.
Also cementing her leadership status as the FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup 2025 MVP, she was a true powerhouse in Iraputo last year as she finished as the tournament’s leading scorer, with 18.0 points per game, while also contributing 7.2 rebounds, 3.,8 steals and 2.0 assists per outing.
Eve Long joined her USA teammate in the All-Star Five with an eye-catching contribution of 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds and so will be expected to be similarly influential for her side when they take to the court on Czech soil.
Meanwhile Micah Ojo is another name to look out for, since she made the All-Tournament Second Team and was unfortunate not to squeeze her way into the All-Star Five.
The trio are part of no fewer than 10 players included on the roster from the FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup winning team - namely, Jazman Bailey, Caroline Bradley, Tatianna Griffin, Olivia Jones, Morghan Reckley, Arianna Robinson and Nation Williams. The two new members of the group are Maliya Hunter and Nya Riak.
The USA will be led in Brno by head coach Steve Gomez of Lubbock Christian University, Texas. He will be assisted by Brittanny Johnson and Krystle Johnson, as the trio return to the helm after guiding their country to the U16 gold medal last year.
USA have an extraordinary 50-1 all-time record in the competition and have won six of the seven editions of the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup. They will face Australia, Côte d'Ivoire and Latvia in Group A.
FIBA