U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Secures World Championship Title

The U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team secured the title of world champion in a closely contested final against Canada. The victory marked their first world championship since 2010. The intense match concluded with a score of 77-76, with Courtney Ryan playing a pivotal role by hitting a crucial free throw with 20.8 seconds left on the clock. Canada had an opportunity to turn the game around but missed their shot and then fouled Ixhelt Gonzalez with just 5.1 seconds remaining. Although Gonzalez missed both her free throws, Canada was unable to capitalize on their final possession.

Lindsey Zurbrugg emerged as the leading scorer for the U.S. team with 26 points. Teammates Rose Hollermann and Courtney Ryan contributed 17 points each, with Ryan narrowly missing a triple-double with nine assists and eight rebounds.

The U.S. women’s team last claimed Paralympic gold in 2016 at the Rio Games. They went on to win bronze in Tokyo and silver in Paris. The current championship roster consists of 11 players with previous Paralympic experience, including veterans Hollermann and Becca Murray from the 2016 gold-winning team. Arelle Middleton, at 18 years old, is the team’s newcomer. She also has a background in Paralympic track and field, having won a silver medal in the F64 shot put at the 2024 Games.

The Netherlands, the previous world and Paralympic champions, were eliminated by Canada in the semifinals, paving the way for the U.S. victory.

In the men’s tournament, Australia will compete against Italy in the final set to take place on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. ET, with live coverage available on Peacock. The U.S. men’s team, although dominant in past Paralympics with three consecutive titles, was knocked out by Germany in the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, the team remains a formidable presence, having secured medals in the previous 13 World Championships since 1975.

The U.S. wheelchair rugby team will also head into the upcoming Los Angeles Paralympics as reigning world champions, aiming for their first Paralympic title since 2008.