Sky Overseas Updates 2022-23: FIBA Women’s World Cup – Group Phase (Day 1)

September 22, 2022 – Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – Chicago Sky News Release

CHICAGO – The 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup kicked off in Sydney, Australia. Four Chicago Sky players took action with their respective countries: Kahleah Copper (USA), Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand (Belgium) and Li Yueru (China).

Copper and the United States began its Group Phase play against Meesseman, Allemand and Belgium on Wednesday, September 21st (local CST time). Copper, along with Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Jewell Loyd and Ariel Atkins rounded out the starting lineup for Team USA. For Belgium, Messeeman, Allemand, Antonia Delaere, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens were introduced as its starting lineup.

Team USA came out on top and defeated Belgium, 87-72, for the first game of World Cup play. Copper finished the game with 11 points on 50.0% field goal shooting (4-for-8), with five rebounds, three steals, one block and one assist in 30 minutes of play for the United States. For Belgium, Allemand recorded 10 points on 44.4% field goal shooting (4-for-9), four assists, two steals and one rebound. Meesseman scored her first bucket with 3:15 left to go in the first half with a short corner fadeaway jump shot. She tallied four points on 2-for-6 field goal shooting to go along with four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block on the night. Stewart (USA) led all scorers with 22 points in 31 minutes.

Yueru and Team China opened its Group Phase with a dominating 107-44 win against Korea on Thursday, September 22nd (local CST time). Yueru finished with nine points on 57.1% field goal shooting (4-for-7) with seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 14 minutes of play.

United States will play Puerto Rico for its second game on Thursday, September 22nd at 7:30 p.m. CST. Belgium will face off against Korea on Thursday at 10:00 p.m. CST, while China will play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday at 11:30 p.m. CST. All three games will be casted live on ESPN+ and Courtside 1891.

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