Team USA defeats China in FIBA World Cup opening match

Team USA began the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup with a 94-61 victory over China on Friday. The game drew significant attention due to the presence of China's 7-foot-3 center Ziyu Zhang. Players on the American roster, including Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, were frequently seen navigating around the 19-year-old center throughout the contest. Photos circulated by FIBA showed Bueckers comparing her own height to that of Zhang during the game. This encounter between the American perimeter players and the towering Chinese center became a focal point of the opening day of tournament play. Team USA maintains its momentum following the decisive result in their first matchup of the event.

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