MIES (Switzerland) - It was USA who conquered once again as they took a ninth FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup title at the 2021 edition, led by superstar in the making, Caitlin Clark. USA successfully defended the title they had worked to reclaim during 2019 in Bangkok by beating Australia 70-52 in the showpiece game in Debrecen.
The tournament was also highlighted by an historic and epic run by Mali who made the Semi-Finals for the very first time, although it was a jubilant host nation Hungary who ultimately grabbed bronze.
The Standings
Position | Nation | W-L Record |
|---|---|---|
1. | USA | 7-0 |
2. | Australia | 5-2 |
3. | Hungary | 5-2 |
4. | Mali | 4-3 |
5. | Canada | 4-3 |
6. | Czechia | 4-3 |
7. | Spain | 4-3 |
8. | Russia | 4-3 |
9. | Japan | 5-2 |
10. | France | 5-2 |
11. | Italy | 3-4 |
12. | Egypt | 1-6 |
13. | Korea | 3-4 |
14. | Chinese Taipei | 1-6 |
15. | Argentina | 2-5 |
16. | Brazil | 0-7 |
The Summary
Canada soared into the Quarter-Finals with a surprise 79-72 win against France. Mali began to fly the flag for African basketball like nobody had done before with a one-sided 87-46 triumph against Korea. The duo were joined in the last eight by USA and Russia, plus Czechia, Spain, Australia and local favorites Hungary. Fans in Debrecen were left happy when Hungary beat Czechia 78-71 to make the Semi-Finals, but were then paired with USA who sunk Spain 98-64. Having gone under the radar, Australia turned up the noise with a 72-61 win against Canada, but the limelight was on Mali who took a historic step in style by blasting past Russia 69-47.
The Semi-Finals showed USA to be the champions in waiting as they downed Hungary 75-42, while Mali were undone 62-50 by Australia who set up a Final repeat with USA. Mali had a shot at more history when they tried to get a first ever medal, but hosts Hungary got it done 88-67 to take bronze thanks to 25 points from Julia Boros.
The tournament then culminated in USA posting an unbeaten campaign by locking down the Sapphires 70-52 in the title game. It was a big team effort with 15 points from Diamond Johnson, Caitlin Clark handing out 8 assists and Lauren Betts pulling down 14 rebounds.
The MVP: Caitlin Clark
Clark had cause for a double celebration after being named TISSOT MVP. She finished the tournament as the leading scorer for her country with 14.3 points per game, as well as averaging 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists - including passing the rock 8 times in the title game itself.
Clark was joined on the All-Star Five by teammate Sonia Citron, as well as Australia's Jade Melbourne, Julia Boros who helped Hungary take bronze and Sika Kone who was the centerpiece of Mali's spectacular run.
The Best Game: Hungary sneaking into the Semi-Finals
The hosts were under pressure in the Quarter-Finals due to high expectations having beaten Italy in the Round fo 16. The lure of making the last four and a serious shot at a medal was exciting but they faced a Czechia team who won their group and had waltzed past Brazil to reach the last eight. It all boiled down to the last quarter and the hosts made their move. They then had to hold their nerve in a compelling conclusion, eventually riding out 78-71 winners and sparking scenes of massive celebrations.
The Best Story: Magic Mali making history
It was not just the fact that Mali made history for themselves and for African basketball with their top four finish, it was also because they didn't just win games, they actually blew some teams away. For example, 2017 winners Russia were dismantled brutally in the Quarter-Finals. Sika Kone proved to be the marquee player and a tour de force, but this was not a one player story. For example, her namesake Fanta Kone had more assists per game than anyone else with 6.5 per outing. The sheer physicality and intensity of Mali was epic and they played amazing from start to finish, only just missing out on the podium.
The Best Performer: Sika Kone
While Clark took MVP honors, no player dominated and impressed quite like Kone. The Mali forward terrorized just about every opposing defender she went up against and harvested some eye-popping numbers. Taking Mali to new ground, she finished as the leading scorer and rebounder in the competition with a staggering tournament double-double of 19.7 points and 14.8 rebounds per game. It's no surprise she then went on to be a senior standout for her country and also excel in EuroLeague Women too.
The Stats Leaders
Points
Player | Country | Points Per Game |
|---|---|---|
Sika Kone | Mali | 19.7 |
Shayeann Day-Wilson | Canada | 18.1 |
Dominika Paurova | Czechia | 16.2 |
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu | Russia | 15.7 |
Julia Boros | Hungary | 15.0 |
Pauline Astier | France | 15.0 |
Rebounds
Player | Country | Rebounds Per Game |
|---|---|---|
Sika Kone | Mali | 14.8 |
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu | Russia | 12.8 |
Lauren Betts | USA | 9.6 |
Yvonne Ejim | Canada | 9.4 |
Yara Hussein | Egypt | 9.3 |
Assists
Player | Country | Assists Per Game |
|---|---|---|
Fanta Kone | Mali | 6.5 |
Shayeann Day-Wilson | Canada | 5.7 |
Leila Lacan | France | 5.7 |
Caitlin Clark | USA | 5.6 |
Te-Hina Paopao | USA | 4.6 |
FIBA