USA Defeat Ivory Coast in 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup Opener

11 July 2026

USA 117, CIV 24

The quest for a fourth straight gold medal, and seventh overall, at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup tipped for the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team (1-0) on Saturday with a 117-24 victory over Ivory Coast (0-1) in Brno, Czechia.

Starting the game on a 13-0 run and holding Ivory Coast scoreless midway through the first quarter, the USA handled their business to open Group A.

The U.S. has won 23 consecutive games at the U17 World Cup, dating back to 2016.

View the USA-Ivory Coast box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

The World Starts Tonight: The U.S. trotted out a starting lineup of Caroline Bradley, Olivia Jones, Eve Long, Ivanna Wilson Manyacka and Micah Ojo against Ivory Coast. The first five accounted for 64 of USA’s 117 total points in the game (23-42 FG).

Total Eclipse: The USA has won their U17 World Cup opener in every edition of the event. Now 8-0, tonight’s 93-point margin of victory ranks first in the U.S.’s U17 opener history (previous record: +59; 104-45 vs. South Koea on 6/22/16). The U.S. has scored 100-or-more points in a U17 opener three times (tonight; 104-45 vs. South Koea on 6/22/16; 131 vs. South Korea on 8/17/12).

Together: The Americans had six players score double figures against Ivory Coast. Leading the way was Wilson Manyacka who notched 23 points (10-12 FG, 1-2 3FG). Tatianna Griffin contributed 15 (7-14 FG, 1-2 FT) while Long scored 14 (5-12 FG, 4-4 FT). Nation Williams (3-8 FG, 5-8 FT), Arianna Robinson (5-7 FG, 1-2 FT) and Bradley (4-6 FG, 1-1 3FG, 2-2 FT) scored 11 points apiece.

Heartache: Turnovers fueled the U.S. offense. Scoring came in furries off Ivory Coast miscues as 46 turnovers resulted in 63 points for the Americans. More than half the roster recorded at least one steal in the game but it was Wilson Manyacka’s 6 swipes to lead the team (record: 8; Linnae Harper vs AUS on 8/24/12).

For A Hero: The USA controlled the glass and outrebounded Ivory Coast, 65-28. Coming up big in the trenches was Williams and Bradley as they each pulled down a team-high 10 boards. Both finished with a double-double (Bradley: 10p, 10r; Williams: 11p, 10r). Ten USA players had 6+ rebounds.