CHENGDU – The USA women’s team featuring LSU guards Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley opened the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series with a statement in Chengdu, China, capturing their first title on the circuit since 2024 on a run defined by late-game toughness until the very last buzzer.
The U.S. arguably saved their very best for last with a 20-18, down-to-the-wire win over Germany for the crown. The Germans leaned into their size advantage early, attacking the paint and building a narrow edge, but the USA responded with defensive intensity.
The game tightened in the closing minutes, tied at 12-12 with five to play before Germany surged ahead late, taking a 16-13 advantage. But ultimately, the U.S. continued to grind out possessions, even as late-game turnovers on both ends threatened to shift momentum. Trailing 18-17 with a minute to play, the Americans delivered the deciding sequence: after chasing down multiple offensive rebounds, Mikaylah Williams, who led the team with 10 points and six rebounds, rose up and knocked down a clutch 2-pointer to hand the USA a 19-18 lead.
USA opened pool play on Friday in dominant fashion, cruising past Brazil 21-5 in just over five minutes. Williams led the way with 10 points and five rebounds, powering an overall efficient performance on offense (9-11 1FG, 4-6 2FG).
The USA’s second game was a much tighter, physical contest. After a slow start versus Australia, the team battled back from an early deficit. Despite creating good looks, the U.S. struggled to convert consistently, though power plays from Williams brought the Americans back within reach.
Williams gave the USA a brief lead inside the final minute, but Australia responded with a pair of clutch baskets, including a game-winning two-pointer with 2.6 seconds remaining, to hand the USA its only loss of the event, a 16-15 defeat.
The Americans advanced to second day of competition as the second seed in Pool D and a matchup with Amsterdam awaiting. The squad came with a new energy, and put up their most well-rounded showing of the tournament — Williams added six points in the USA’s 20-18 win. They owned Amsterdam in the battle for boards, finishing with a 22-14 advantage, and ultimately held onto the late game lead even as Amsterdam threatened a comeback.
Less than 90 minutes later, the Americans followed it up with another one-possession thriller in the semifinals, outlasting Poland 21-20. Williams and Fulwiley worked in tandem for a wild finish — each knocking in buckets on back-to-back possessions to cross the first-to-21 finish line, after the USA trailed by one with under a minute to play. Rebounding and interior scoring was once again the theme for the Americans, who fended off Poland’s sharpshooting from the perimeter.
The U.S. women now head to the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Manila in the Philippines from May 7-8.