Berlin’s Second-Best Five Shine in Women's World Cup
Five stars from five nations carved out their place in the All-Second Team, leaving a tangible mark on the hardwood in Berlin.
The dust settles on the Berlin arenas, leaving behind the scent of polished wood and the echo of hard slams. Five players stand apart, their names etched into the tournament record not as first-choice, but as the vital second pulse of the game. They did not lead the headline, yet they moved the ball, seized the rim, and held the floor together when the pressure spiked. This is the All-Second Team of the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, a collection of athletes who turned high-stakes moments into routine excellence.
Emma Meesseman’s presence was a gravitational force for Belgium. She did not just play; she commanded the space, her efficiency rating of 25.0 a stark, numeric testament to her dominance. With 21.0 points per game, she outscored everyone else in the competition, her hands finding the net with a rhythmic, almost mechanical precision. The boards were her territory too, 8.0 rebounds secured with elbows high and eyes locked. It was a performance of pure, unadulterated weight, the kind that leaves opponents breathless and the floor trembling under the force of her impact.
Host Nation Breaks Historic Barrier
Germany, the host, found a new altitude. For the first time in their history, they soared past the quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals, a finish that tasted like salt and victory. At the center of this surge was Nyara Sabally, a forward whose physicality was a wall and a weapon. She averaged 12.1 points, her shots crashing through the air with intent. Her 6.0 rebounds were not just grabbed but wrestled from the opposition, each possession a small battle won. This was a team that played with the urgency of a home crowd, the air in the arena thick with expectation and delivered in bursts of kinetic energy.
The crowd roared, but Sabally remained a cool eye in the storm. Her 2.0 assists were threads connecting the chaos, pulling teammates into open lanes. The semi-final run was not just a statistic; it was a narrative of resilience, a nation playing with its heart on the sleeve. The court felt larger, the stakes higher, and every touch of the ball resonated with the weight of history being rewritten in real time.
Veteran Leadership Drives Diverse Runs
Steph Talbot carried the weight of an injured Australia on her shoulders. The veteran guard did not just play; she orchestrated, her 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds forming the backbone of the Opals’ quarter-final bid. Her efficiency of 21.0 was a masterclass in value, every touch counted, every possession maximized. She led her team in steals with 1.4 per game, her hands a blur of disruption. It was a performance of grit, of a player who knows exactly how much fuel is left in the tank and how to make it burn bright.
Across the court, Xu Han of China painted the picture with a different brush. The star center’s double-double of 18.8 points and 10.8 rebounds was a visual spectacle, a display of size and skill that dictated the pace. Her 2.0 assists showed a softness in her passing, a contrast to her imposing frame. She moved the ball with a fluidity that belied her height, creating space where none existed. Her contributions were breathtaking, a series of high-flying plays that left spectators leaning forward in their seats, eyes wide.
French Forward Anchors Historic Final Bid
Janelle Salan was the steady hand on France’s ship as they sailed into the final, a first for the nation. Her 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds were the constants in a game of variables. With an efficiency rating of 15.3, she provided the stability that allowed her teammates to take risks. She was the anchor, the point around which the French offense revolved. Her presence was felt in the defensive stands as much as the offensive ones, a quiet but potent force that kept the team grounded.
As reported by GN sports/basketball (en-US), these five players represent the depth of talent in the modern game. They are not just the second-best; they are the essential elements that elevate the sport. Their performances in Berlin are more than statistics on a sheet; they are memories etched in the minds of fans, a testament to the power of dedication and skill. The court may be empty now, but the echoes of their play remain, a reminder of what is possible when talent meets determination.
