China Women’s Basketball Team Must Find Direction After World Cup Quarterfinal Exit

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, Sept. 10 (Reporters Su Bin and Zhao Jiantong) The miracle did not happen. In the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup on Sept. 10, China suffered a 29-point defeat to France, the runner-up at the Paris Olympics and the world’s No. 2-ranked team, ending its tournament run in the last eight.

On Sept. 10, China player Zhang Ziyu (right) competes with French player Gaye for a rebound during the match. Photo by Xinhua reporter He Canling.

Entering the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, the Chinese women’s basketball team has begun a process of transition between older and younger players. After experienced players such as Yang Liwei and Huang Sijing left the national team following last year’s Women’s Asia Cup, and Li Yueru missed the tournament due to the unexpected loss of her passport, only Han Xu, Wang Siyu and Li Yuan from the current World Cup squad had been part of the team that won silver at the previous edition.

Looking back at China’s five games in this World Cup, there were heavy defeats against the United States and France, the world’s top two-ranked teams, narrow victories over the Czech Republic and Puerto Rico, and a convincing win against Italy. Facing opponents with different characteristics and experiencing different game situations, China gained valuable lessons for growth through competition.

On Sept. 6, China player Han Xu (second from right) drives for a layup during the game. On that day, China defeated the Czech Republic 74-70 in a 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Group D match held in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Xinhua reporter He Canling.

The tournament established Han Xu and Yang Shuyu as the team’s inside and outside core players. Han averaged 18.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while Yang averaged 14.2 points and 5.6 assists. Their pick-and-roll combination also proved effective during certain stretches. Their performances demonstrated the value and significance of gaining experience in high-level overseas leagues and better serving the national team.

With Li Yueru absent, China’s interior advantage was weakened to some extent, leaving Han Xu with a heavier burden and an average playing time close to 30 minutes. When she left the court, China’s offense often stalled, giving opponents opportunities to close the gap or extend their lead. Penetration is an important offensive weapon for Yang Shuyu, but because she also has to organize the team’s play, the effectiveness of her drives in creating scoring opportunities was reduced.

On Sept. 9, China player Yang Shuyu (center) makes a layup during the game. On that day, China defeated Puerto Rico 75-72 in a Women’s Basketball World Cup qualification match for the last eight held in Berlin, Germany, advancing to the quarterfinals. Photo by Xinhua reporter Zhang Haofu.

Standing 2.23 meters tall, 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu was one of the most closely watched newcomers at the World Cup and a key focus of opponents’ defensive plans. Facing targeted defense and disruption from opponents, the young center still has a long way to go in maintaining composure and keeping her technical movements consistent. Further enriching her offensive skills is also a challenge for both her and the Chinese coaching staff.

Wang Siyu and Li Yuan were affected by injuries, while Zhang Manman lacked major-tournament experience. China’s guard line did not meet expectations in this tournament, with occasional ball-handling and passing mistakes directly giving opponents fast-break opportunities. As head coach Gong Luming said, the guards are a relatively weak part of the current roster. “I hope the guards can gain experience through major competitions, build confidence, and organize the team better on both offense and defense.”

On Sept. 10, China players receive guidance from head coach Gong Luming during a break in the match. Photo by Xinhua reporter He Canling.

China’s outside shooting was not stable enough, which increased the pressure on the interior players to some extent and allowed opponents to double-team Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu more confidently. This tournament showed that quick ball movement, fast transitions between offense and defense, and accurate outside shooting are characteristics of strong teams. For example, France made 14 three-pointers against China, and in the group-stage match against Nigeria, France set a World Cup single-game record with 22 made three-pointers.

Gong Luming believes that major-tournament experience is where China differs from the world’s top teams. “The new Chinese women’s basketball team especially needs to compete and practice in matches like these. This is a process of laying a foundation for future development and continuous improvement,” he said.

With little time for adjustments, China will move on to Japan to attempt to defend its Asian Games title. Most of the players from the World Cup roster will soon face another test.

From the perspective of preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, China completed an initial objective in this World Cup, which served as a major test. Remembering the bitterness of defeat and clarifying the direction for improvement is also an important step.