Boston Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals as Team USA’s Lone True Post; Dauda and Nigeria Eliminated
The FIBA Women’s World Cup group stage is complete, and it produced two very different outcomes for South Carolina alumnae. Aliyah Boston and Team USA have advanced to the quarterfinals, while Maryam Dauda and Nigeria have been eliminated after failing to make it out of group play.
Dauda’s Limited but Meaningful Role
Dauda, the last player added to Nigeria’s roster, saw very little action throughout the tournament. Her lone extended appearance came during garbage time in a blowout loss to France, where she logged nine minutes and scored her first World Cup basket. Her group-stage totals were modest: minimal action against Korea, a DNP against Hungary, and 9 minutes with 2 points and a steal in the France loss.
Boston’s Expanded Role Amid Wilson’s Absence
Boston’s tournament has carried far more weight given the circumstances. With A’ja Wilson forced to withdraw due to health concerns, Boston became the only true post player on Team USA’s roster. Her numbers across the group stage were modest on paper — including 7 points against Germany, 6 against Italy, and 3 against Czechia — but her impact went beyond the box score. In a narrow win over Italy, Boston led the team in plus/minus and made several crucial plays down the stretch. She also opened the tournament matched up against China’s towering 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu, a significant defensive assignment.
Notably, this marks Boston’s first career World Cup appearance — she was among the final roster cuts back in 2022, even traveling to Sydney before being sent home.
Team USA’s Historical Dominance — and a Real Test From France
Team USA remains the heavy favorite for gold, having lost just one World Cup game since 1998 — a semifinal defeat to Russia in 2006, after which the Americans rebounded to claim bronze over Brazil. The U.S. also hasn’t lost an Olympic game since 1996. Still, France represents a legitimate threat; the French team came within inches of forcing overtime against the Americans at the 2024 Olympics, a game the U.S. only survived thanks to Wilson’s heroics. France returns much of that same roster and cruised through group play this time around.
A Broader Gamecock Absence Story
Boston and Dauda were the only two of six current or former Gamecocks named to senior national team rosters this year to actually compete in the World Cup. Sophomores Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell played for Canada and Brazil earlier this summer, but neither country qualified for this year’s tournament. Fellow sophomore Alicia Tournebize made France’s preliminary roster and participated in training camp, but a finger injury ended her camp early and led to her being cut from the final roster.
The most significant absence, though, remains A’ja Wilson. The reigning Olympic and World Cup tournament MVP withdrew from Team USA earlier this week due to health concerns, having dealt with back and ankle injuries throughout the season.
Tournament Format and Path Forward
The 16-team field was split into four groups, with the United States landing in Group D alongside Czechia, Italy, and China, while Nigeria competed in Group B with Hungary, Korea, and France. Group winners advanced directly to the quarterfinals, while second- and third-place finishers played an elimination game for the remaining spots. The quarterfinals are set for September 10, followed by semifinals on September 12 and the medal round on September 13.
Group Stage Stat Recap
Aliyah Boston (USA)
- vs Germany (94-61 win): 15 min, 7 pts, 2 reb, steal, block
- vs Italy (55-52 win): 21 min, 6 pts, 3 reb, steal, 18 +/-
- vs Czechia (105-64 win): 13 min, 3 pts, 2 reb, 19 +/-
Maryam Dauda (Nigeria)
- vs Korea (99-81 loss): 24 seconds, no stats
- vs Hungary (71-67 loss): DNP – CD
- vs France (111-56 loss): 9 min, 2 pts, steal
How to Watch Team USA’s Knockout Run
All USA games will air on TNT and truTV, streaming on HBO Max:
- September 10 vs. Hungary — 5:30 a.m. ET (TNT/truTV, HBO Max)
- September 12 (if USA advances) vs. Spain/Italy/Australia — TBD (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
- September 13 — Bronze medal game, 10:30 a.m. ET (truTV, HBO Max); Gold medal game, 2:00 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
About The Author
