WNBL standouts from the U19 World Cup and Asia Cup for far!
With 12 contracted WNBL players representing Australia across the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup (10) and the FIBA U19 World Cup (2), here are some of the standout performances so far!
Miela Sowah vs Philippines (Women’s Asia Cup)
In the first game of the tournament, Miela Sowah was the offensive engine for the Opals – setting the tone for what has been a fast-paced and three-point oriented team. In 17 minutes, the Townsville Fire recruit scored 19 points, making three of six attempts behind the arc.
Fresh off the 3×3 World Cup, Sowah is in top form and will be a perfect scoring spark plug for the Opals when the offence could potentially clog down in the Semi-Finals and further.
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Monique Bobongie vs France (U19 Women’s World Cup)
Coming off a solid performance against Brazil, UC Capitals’ young gun Monique Bobongie caught fire against one of the tournament favourites, France.
With multiple physical finishes around the ring and some impressive outside shooting, the rising Indigenous star finished with 17 points, four rebounds plus two assists and steals.
Monique was LIGHTING it up 🔥
17 PTS (6-13 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL#WeAreBasketball | #GoGems | #FIBAU19 | @nextgenhoops pic.twitter.com/oQscVLgC9c
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) July 15, 2025
Working on her skills this winter in NBL1 has most certainly paid off for this tournament, so could we see Bobognie lead the Gems to another podium finish?
The Gems’ next game will be against Hungary tomorrow in the Quarter-Finals, watch the game live from 7:45pm (AEST) via FIBA’s YouTube channel.
Zitina Aokuso vs Japan (Women’s Asia Cup)
In the team’s final game of Pool B, Japan gave the Opals their first real scare of the tournament, leading at halftime 51-42. While the lead didn’t last long, the comeback was based on the play of Zitina Aokuso, whose size and physicality were too much for Japan to handle.
“We wanted to make a new legacy for this new team that we have here, and I think beating Japan was good for us,” she said post-game.
“We weren’t showing up in the first half, but we made sure we came out and finished it.”
Finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds, the UC Capitals recruit returned from knee soreness to give the Opals the size to overcome Japan’s skill and shooting.
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Australia finished first in Group B, automatically qualifying for the Semi-Finals on Saturday from 6:30pm AEST on ESPN, Kayo Sport and Disney+.
If successful, the Opals will qualify for either the third-placed game or the final, competing for another medal finish.
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