Celebrating the biggest Women's Asia Cup stars at the biggest stages

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Celebrating the success of women in basketball is an activity that we can (and should) all do on any given day. However, with this special occasion of International Women’s Day, let’s take the time to look back at some of the best performances in recent Women’s Asia Cups, Women’s Basketball World Cups, and Olympics!

Manami Fujioka (Japan, Women’s Asia Cup 2017)

19 points, 8 rebounds, 14 assists vs China

Japan have a long list of superstar facilitators to show off in the women’s basketball scene. One of the most impressive performances put on display was in the Semi-Finals of the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017 where Manami Fujioka flirted with a rare triple-double against China.

The two powerhouse nations have an on-going long-time rivalry and it was once again a close game in the Semi-Finals back in 2017. Aside from putting up a lofty stat line, Fujioka made decisive plays in the final moments whether it was rebounding or passing the ball to help Japan claim the win.

It sealed yet another trip to the Women’s Asia Cup Final for Japan, where they would eventually win their third consecutive title that year.

Notable mention: We’ve also seen plenty of clutch performances by Japan’s star in several Women’s Asia Cup Finals as well during their current run of 4 straight championships. From Ramu Tokashiki’s 20-point, 18-rebound game against Korea in 2013, Sanae Motokawa’s 24 points on 6 three-pointers against China in 2015, Saki Mizushima’s 26 points on 7 three-pointers in an upset win over Australia in 2017, to Nako Motohashi’s 24 points against China in the 2019 Final, Japan just keeps finding ways to win at the biggest stage of women’s basketball in Asia.

Asami Yoshida (Japan, Women’s Basketball at Rio 2016 Olympics)

8.7 assists per game

The legendary point guard of Japan basketball made sure to put her name on the map in the Olympics when she averaged a mind-blowing 8.7 assist per game in the tournament that year. Not only did that average lead the entire tournament, Yoshida’s assists average led the runner-up in the category by 3.2 assists per game!

Therefore, it’s real surprise that Yoshida recorded the tournament-high of 11 assists in the Olympics that year - a feat the she accomplished twice, including an 11-point, 11-assist double-double in a win over Brazil.

Notable mention: Another star from Japan who led all players in a statistical category at a global stage is Yuko Oga who led the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2010 in scoring.

Afril Bernardino (Women’s Asia Cup 2015)

32 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals vs India

The Philippines needed a win against India to earn promotion to Division A of the Women’s Asia Cup and they knew it was going to be a tough game.

Bernardino, only 19 years old at the time, stepped up to the plate and took over. The 1.72M (5’8”) forward dominated with 32 points on 13-17 shooting from the field to go with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals to assure a victory for the Philippines.

With the win, the Philippines moved up to Division A and have only continued to make huge strides forward in the women’s basketball scene ever since.

Shao Ting (FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2014)

24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals vs Serbia

Can you all recall that whirling dervish spin move from Women’s Asia Cup 2019 in the waning seconds of the Semi-Finals that became the game-winning basket for China in an upset over Australia? That was all Shao Ting and just another page is her book of memorable moments throughout her career.

 

Shao Ting has been building up her profile and padding her résumé to be considered as one of the greatest in China women’s basketball and one of her best performances may have been back at the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2014.

China were able to avenge an earlier loss in the tournament to Serbia, led by an efficient 24-point game (on 10-16 shooting) by Shao.

Liz Cambage (Australia, Women’s Basketball at London 2012 Olympic)

1 Dunk vs Russia

Sure, Liz Cambage led the London 2016 Olympics in scoring with 23.5 points which included a tournament-leading 37 points against Japan. However, her peak highlight moment arguably was in the prior Olympics in 2012 against Russia.

In that game, the 2.03M (6’8”) star center threw down a dunk in the middle of the game - a rare highlight in the history of women’s basketball at the Olympics.

"To have someone dunk at the Olympics, and a rising star of the women's world game is huge," said Carrie Graf, then head coach of the Australia national team as per ESPN. "It's one of the many things that will continue to put women's basketball on the map as a global game. That's what it does.

"It's a historic, iconic moment in women's sport."

Notable mention: Of course, we’re not overlooking fellow Australia national team (and global women’s basketball) star Lauren Jackson who also led the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2006 in scoring and was second in rebounds.

Beon Yeon Ha (Korea, FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2010)

21 points, 6 assists, 7 three-pointers made vs Mali

Korea basketball is known for its sharpshooting, especially from long range and it’s been showcased time and again. That was put on display at the Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2010 when Beon Yeon Ha stepped up as one of the best in the world to launch it from downtown.

She easily led all players in three-pointers made that year with 33 in total (on an impressive conversion rate of 44.6 percent). Beon topped the tournament-high of 7 three-pointers made in a game twice.

FIBA