Australia beats Japan to claim maiden FIBA Women’s Asia Cup-Jul 20, 2025
Australia survived a late comeback by Japan to win the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup for the first time on Sunday. The Opals, runners up to Japan in 2017, triumphed 88 - 79 at the Shenzhen Sports Centre in southern China. Australia, which previously defeated its Japanese rival 79 - 67 in the group stages, led from the start and built an 11-point lead by half time. But six-time Asian champion Japan rallied in the final quarter with power forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-F-1993, college: Queens, NY) at one stage netting three unanswered 3-pointers in a row to level the scores with seven minutes on the clock. A pair of missed free throws by Japan and crucial baskets from Australian stars Alexandra Fowler (188-F-2001, college: Portland) and Alex Wilson (175-G-1994) helped the Opals edge away as time ticked away for an increasingly desperate Japanese side. Australian celebrations began with the buzzer as the team ranked second in FIBA’s world rankings finally ended its Asia Cup trophy drought. Fowler, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, top-scored for her side with 15 points, while Wilson and point guard Stephanie Reid (168-G-1996, college: Buffalo) chipped in with 14 and 13 points respectively. Teenage sensation Kokoro Tanaka (171-SG-2006), who made 27 points in Japan’s semifinal downing of hosts China, had to settle for silver despite another impressive display where she ended with 21 points and nine assists. Earlier on Sunday, a powerful performance from 2.26m (7ft 5in) Ziyu Zhang (223-C-2007) helped China thrash South Korea 101 - 66 in the third-place playoff. The giant 18-year-old centre managed 18 points and seven rebounds as the host maintained its record of consecutive podium finishes at the biennial event, a run which stretches back to 1976. Courtesy of: sportstar.thehindu.com
Asia-Basket.com All-FIBA Asia Cup Awards 2025-Jul 23, 2025
Alexandra Fowler, Australian forward was honored as the Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Asia Cup.
She plays For the Perry Lakes Hawks And graduated from Portland two years ago.
Fowler received multiple other awards, earned the Best Forward and was named to the First Team.
She averaged almost 12 points and over 7 rebounds per game during the event.
Fowler's 15 points against Japan were the most she scored at the tournament.
Among many awards she was selected to the All-WCC First Team back in 2022.
She was also selected to the WCC All-Freshman Team back in 2020.
Fowler was selected to the WCC All-Tournament Team between 2020 and 2023.
Kokoro Tanaka, 19-year old Japanese shooting guard picked up the Best Guard of FIBA Asia Cup.
She plays For the Eneos Sunflowers.
Tanaka also earned a spot in the First Team.
Her exceptional play earned her the fourth spot in points per game, boasting an impressive average of almost 15 and fourth in assists per game, an average of over 5.
Tanaka has totalled 2 games of 20 or more points during the event.
Her 27 points against China were the most she scored at the tournament.
Despite her young age she had an impressive career.
She was selected to the Asia-Basket All-FIBA Asian Under 16 Championship First Team back in 2022.
Xu Han, Chinese center was named the Best Center at the FIBA Asia Cup.
She plays For the New York Liberty in the WNBA.
Han was also voted to the First Team.
She started playing in the Chinese National Team 2 years ago.
Han also played for the University national team back in 2023.
She was previously voted the Best Center and selected to the First Team back in 2023.
Han conducted her way to the fifth position in averaging a commendable almost 15 points per game.
She also recorded 7 rebounds per game at the event.
Han's 18 points against South Korea were the most she scored at the tournament.
Among many awards she was selected to the Eurobasket All-FIBA World Cup First Team back in 2022.
She was also selected to the Asia-Basket All-Chinese WCBA Player of the Year as well as the All-Chinese WCBA Defensive Player of the Year back in 2021.
Han was also selected to the Eurobasket All-FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Beograd (Serbia) First Team back in 2020.
Rebecca Akl, 32-year old Lebanese point guard was chosen to the First Team of FIBA Asia Cup.
She plays For the Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut.
Akl started playing in the Lebanese National Team 16 years ago.
She was previously selected as the Division B three times in the past, Division B Best Guard and named to the Division B First Team back in 2021.
Akl registered over 4 rebounds per game at the event.
She led the FIBA Asia Cup in points per game with over 16.
Akl has totalled 2 games of 20 or more points during the event.
Her 27 points against Japan were the most she scored at the tournament.
Yuki Miyazawa, 32-year old Japanese forward earned a spot in the First Team at the FIBA Asia Cup.
She plays For the Fujitsu Red Wave And Is the Queens College alumna from 2009.
Miyazawa started playing in the Japanese National Team 12 years ago.
She also played for the Under 17 national team back in 2010.
Miyazawa was previously named to Honorable Mention back in 2017.
With finesse and precision, Miyazawa claimed the fifth position in rebounds per game, delivering a stellar over 7 rebounds per game average.
She also averaged almost 11 points per game at the event.
Miyazawa's 18 points against China were the most she scored at the tournament.
Among many awards she was selected to the Asia-Basket All-Japanese WJBL First Team for three consecutive years between 2019 and 2021.
She was also selected to the Asia-Basket All-Japanese WJBL Second Team in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2024.
Miyazawa was selected as the Japanese WJBL All-Star Game for five consecutive years between 2016 and 2020.
Most Valuable Player: Alexandra Fowler (188-F-2001) of Perry Lakes H. Best Guard: Kokoro Tanaka (171-SG-2006) of Eneos S. Best Forward: Alexandra Fowler (188-F-2001) of Perry Lakes H. Best Center: Xu Han (6'10''-C-1999) of New York L.
Division B. Taiwan beat Iran to clinch title-Jul 20, 2025
FINAL
Taiwan - Iran 74-55 Taiwan clinched Division B title as they rallied past Iran. Taiwan trailed by one point at the first break. But they answered with a 46-25 run in the next two periods to spur ahead for good. Chen Wei-An (177-PF-1995) came up with 18 points, while Ling-Chuan Huang (175-F-1994) banked in 17 points for the champions. Abedi Mahla (181-C-2004) answered with 23 points and 15 rebounds for Iran.
3-4 Place
Mongolia - Thailand 73-78 Thailand
beat Mongolia to earn the third position in Division B. The Thai team
grabbed a 24-14 lead ten minutes into the game. They extended the margin
at 15-point mark heading into the fourth period. Mongolia cut the
deficit in the final stanza but could not avoid the loss. Rattiyakorn
Udomsuk finished with 23 points, while Supavadee Kunchuan (178-F-1992, college: St.Thomas, FL) accounted for
17 points and 14 rebounds for Thailand. Onolbaatar Khulan (180-C-1999, agency: ASE) replied with
18 points and 9 rebounds for Mongolia.
Asia-Basket.com All-FIBA Asia Cup Division B Awards 2025-Jul 23, 2025
Ya-En Han, 30-year old Taiwanese forward was honored as the Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Asia Cup Division B.
She plays For the Cathay Life Tigers.
Han received multiple other awards, earned the Best Forward and was named to the First Team.
She started playing in the Taiwanese National Team 7 years ago.
Han also played for the University national team back in 2019.
She averaged over 10 points and almost 5 rebounds per game during the event.
Han's 21 points against Mongolia were the most she scored at the tournament.
Roxy Barahman, 27-year old Iranian guard picked up the Best Guard of FIBA Asia Cup Division B.
She plays For the Fujian Zoten In China And graduated from the Yale five years ago.
Barahman also earned a spot in the First Team.
Her court vision propelled her to the third spot in points per game an outstanding average of almost 17 and fourth position in assists per game, averaging almost 5.
Barahman's 20 points against Cook Islands were the most she scored at the tournament.
Among many awards she won the Puerto Rican BSNF championship title in 2022.
She was selected to the All-Ivy First Team between 2019 and 2020.
Barahman was also selected to the Eurobasket All-Greek League Third Team back in 2022.
Abedi Mahla, 20-year old Iranian center was named the Best Center at the FIBA Asia Cup Division B.
She plays For the Bahman Tehran.
Mahla was also voted to the First Team.
She started playing in the Iranian National Team 2 years ago.
Mahla's masterful distribution skills earned her the second spot in rebounds per game with an impressive average of over 11.
She also recorded over 12 points per game at the event.
Mahla registered double-doubles in 2 games during the event.
Her 23 points against Taiwan were the most she scored at the tournament.
Rattiyakorn Udomsuk, Thai swingman was selected to the First Team of FIBA Asia Cup Division B.
She plays For the Dhurakij Pundit University.
Udomsuk started playing in the Thai National Team 6 years ago.
She also played for the Under 18 national team back in 2016.
Udomsuk was previously chosen to the Second Team back in 2023.
She had over 3 rebounds per game at the event.
Udomsuk led the FIBA Asia Cup in points per game with almost 22.
She has totalled 5 games of 20 or more points during the event.
Udomsuk's 25 points against India were the most she scored at the tournament.
Among many awards she was selected to the Asia-Basket All-FIBA Asia Cup Division B Second Team in 2023.
She was also selected as the Asia-Basket All-SEA Games Honorable Mention in 2023.
Sreekala Rani, Indian forward was named to the First Team at the FIBA Asia Cup Division B.
She plays For the KSEB.
Rani started playing in the Indian National Team 4 years ago.
She also played for the Under 18 national team back in 2018.
Rani's court vision was unparalleled as she secured the fourth spot in points per game, delivering an average of almost 17.
She also averaged over 6 rebounds per game at the event.
Rani has totalled 2 games of 20 or more points during the event.
Her 30 points against Kazakhstan were the most she scored at the tournament.
Most Valuable Player: Ya-En Han (180-F-1995) of Cathay Life Best Guard: Roxy Barahman (173-G-1998) of Fujian Best Forward: Ya-En Han (180-F-1995) of Cathay Life Best Center: Abedi Mahla (181-C-2004) of Bahman
Asia-Basket.com All-FIBA Asia Cup Division B First Team 2025
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