French players increase WNBA participation ahead of the basketball World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 11:16 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
The WNBA now features 13 French players, marking a significant shift as France has become the most-represented foreign country in the league. Marine Johannès, who initially faced barriers from the French Federation regarding her league participation, serves as a catalyst for this pipeline. Many of these athletes currently compete for the French national team, which prepares to begin play in the FIBA women’s basketball World Cup this Friday in Berlin. The national team roster includes eight WNBA players, among them Pauline Astier and Gabby Williams. This surge in international talent follows a competitive Olympic appearance where France narrowly fell to Team USA. The upcoming tournament highlights the growing influence of French basketball in the American professional league.
- •France has become the most-represented foreign country in the WNBA with 13 players.
- •Eight players on the current French national team roster play in the WNBA.
- •The FIBA women’s basketball World Cup begins this Friday in Berlin.
- •French players face a new competitive after nearly defeating Team USA in the 2024 Olympics.
- 11:16 AMYahoo Sports — The WNBA has experienced a French influence. It could also cause chaos in the World Cup
"Before Marine Johannès was electrifying the Barclays Center with her one-footed 3-pointers, she was a WNBA fan girl. At home in France, Johannès leaned in close to the family computer, watching highlights of players such as Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker on YouTube. But the league itself seemed far away, and not just geographically. “The WNBA wasn’t even a dream for me,” she said. “I didn’t think it was possible.” Then, Johannès signed her first professional contract, playing for USO Mondevill
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