For the first time in team history, the Puerto Rico women’s team is in the Top 10 of the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) world rankings.
The Puerto Rican women’s team now sits at No. 10. They were ranked No. 17 but jumped seven spots after coming in eighth place in the World Cup in Australia, which took place from September 22 to October 1.
During the tournament, Puerto Rico defeated Bosnia & Herzegovina 82-58 and Japan 92-73. The team lost to Canada in the quarterfinals, 79-60.
Four years ago, in the World Cup in Spain, Puerto Rico lost all their games and finished 16th place.
Puerto Rico received an invitation to the World Cup only after it was determined that the team from Russia would be replaced after it was suspended by FIBA because of the war in Ukraine.
The new world ranking also means Puerto Rico moved up in the rankings for teams in the Americas. It is now ranked as the third-best team in North and South America. The United States is ranked first, and Canada is ranked second.
Puerto Rico’s roster includes Jennifer O’Neill, Tayra Meléndez, Brianna Jones, Pamela Rosado, Zaida González, Sofía Roma, Nairimar Vargas, Mya Hollingshed, Arella Guirantes, Trinity San Antonio, Isalys Quiñones, and India Pagán.
During the World Cup, Guirantes led all positions in scoring from all teams in the tournament with 18.2 points per game. Hollingshed was ninth with 13 points per game.