Team USA completes unbeaten World Cup group stage as scrutiny shifts to knockout depth
A 105-64 win over Czechia secured a 3-0 group-stage record, but CBS Sports’ player assessments identified uneven contributions ahead of the quarter-finals.
Team USA has completed the FIBA Women’s World Cup group stage unbeaten after defeating Czechia 105-64. The result followed wins over China and Italy and extended the Americans’ reported World Cup winning streak to 33 games.
The quarter-final opponent had not been confirmed, with Hungary or Japan in contention. Team USA will have several days off before returning to action, with the group-stage results offering both evidence of its depth and areas of concern.
CBS Sports identified Jackie Young as the team’s most consistent performer. Young averaged 11.3 points and recorded at least 10 points and three assists in each group-stage game, while Paige Bueckers made a strong World Cup debut by averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 assists and shooting 59.1 per cent from the field.
Breanna Stewart produced the group stage’s strongest individual performance for Team USA against Czechia, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Caitlin Clark led the team in assists at 6.3 per game, although CBS Sports noted her 25 per cent shooting from three-point range and a difficult performance against Italy.
The assessments also pointed to uneven production elsewhere. Napheesa Collier was returning from offseason surgery on both ankles, while Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper and Aliyah Boston were among the experienced players whose group-stage contributions fell below expectations. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were absent, with replacements added to the squad.
Team USA’s knockout-round balance will therefore depend on whether its less consistent veterans can contribute alongside the stronger performances from Young, Bueckers and Stewart. The quarter-final will provide the first test of that depth under elimination conditions.
