BEIRUT (Lebanon) - 2024 was a landmark year for basketball in Asia, but 2025 is poised to elevate the game further - especially for women’s basketball. From fierce rivalries to rising stars, here are 10 reasons to be excited for women’s basketball in Asia this year!
1. Call it a comeback
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup returns from July 13–20 in Shenzhen, China, a city with a storied history of hosting FIBA competitions. Last year’s FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen gave a glimpse of the city’s passion for the sport, and this year marks the competition's return to China after a decade-long hiatus since Wuhan 2015.
Shenzhen's history as a host for FIBA Asia women's basketball competitions also go way back to 2004 with the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup that year.
2. Start of a dynasty?
China broke Japan’s five-year reign in 2023, claiming their first Women’s Asia Cup title in over a decade. As defending champions and hosts, the stakes are higher than ever. With a mix of seasoned stars and young talent, could this be the beginning of a new era of dominance for China?
3. Seeking revenge
Japan and Australia will be gunning for the crown. Japan narrowly lost their throne by just two points in 2023, while Australia - finalists in 2017 - aim to reclaim their place among the elite. Expect these powerhouses to push China to their limits in the race for glory.
4. The bigger picture
The stakes go beyond the championship. As a result of the approved update to the Competition System for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and Olympic Games, the top six teams at the Women's Asia Cup will secure spots in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments, marking a critical milestone in the journey to the global stage. For teams in Asia and Oceania, the path to greatness begins in Shenzhen.
5. Teams on the Rise
The Philippines and Lebanon made history in 2023, with both teams earning significant wins and inspiring performances. Indonesia, fresh off their Division B triumph, will join the mix, promising exciting surprises as these teams continue their upward trajectory.
6. The Underdogs’ Fight
There will also be national teams looking to take a leap and be among those Women's Asia Cup teams in the near future and to do so, they need to start now in 2025.
Emerging teams like Thailand, India, and Chinese Taipei, alongside hopeful newcomers like Mongolia and Sri Lanka, will need to participate and battle in Division B for a coveted spot in future editions. Stories of perseverance and breakthrough await - who will rise to the occasion this year?
7. The sequel
In 2024, we saw the first-ever FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia and - as promised - it provided an exciting platform for some of the top stars in women's basketball in Asia to clash against one another in a different setting.
That was just year one. We're already ready to see even more of the best of the best clubs in Asia challenge each other to raise the level of competition.
8. Trending upwards
And with that bar raised in terms of the level of competition by WBL Asia, that only continues to reflect the emphasis on empowering women in basketball - a key pillar in FIBA's strategic priorities. The trend is that we continue to see how much further women's basketball can grow exponentially year after year.
2025 should not be different and that's what we're always looking forward to see.
9. The future stars
The FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup has long been a launching pad for future stars like China’s Li Meng and Japan’s Saori Miyazaki. This year’s tournament promises to introduce the next generation of talent to the international stage as it always has.
10. Foundation for greatness
Teams use the U16 Women’s Asia Cup to build the core of their future squads. Players like Li Yueru and Himawari Akaho once showcased their potential here, eventually leading their nations to glory. This year’s event may reveal the foundations of the next powerhouse teams.
Women’s basketball in Asia is on the rise, and 2025 promises to deliver unforgettable moments. Are you ready?
FIBA