Paige Bueckers (4) directs the offense during Team USA’s 101-46 victory over New Zealand at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in San Juan. (Photo: USA Basketball)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The scoreboard at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot told a story of sheer dominance on Sunday afternoon, as USA Basketball dismantled New Zealand 101-46. But for those watching the nuances of the game, the real story was the deliberate, almost surgical way the Americans operated under acting head coach Nate Tibbetts.
At the center of that operation was Paige Bueckers. While her final stat line of seven points on 3-of-8 shooting might not jump off the page in a 55-point blowout, her impact was measured in the game’s invisible margins. Bueckers logged a team-high 24:05 minutes, finishing with a +29 rating and serving as the primary stabilizing force for a roster overflowing with scoring options.
Establishing the Defensive Standard
Paige Bueckers logged a team-high 24 minutes, excelling on and off ball and as a defensive anchor. (Photo: USA Basketball)
New Zealand attempted to ignite the game with physical play early in the first quarter, but the Americans responded by containing the “Tall Ferns” before they could even cross half-court. It was an intentional tactical shift that Bueckers noted was the catalyst for the triple-digit finish.
“When we set the tone on defense, our offense carries us,” Bueckers said following the victory. “It all starts on the defensive end, with us picking up 94 feet, getting in passing lanes, being disruptive, getting deflections, and just playing our hearts out. Everything carries to the offense.”
By “picking up 94 feet,” Bueckers highlighted a defensive commitment that lasted the length of the court. The U.S. forced 17 turnovers and racked up 17 steals, turning defensive stops into a track meet.
Whether it was Rhyne Howard’s perimeter barrage (18 points, 6-of-10 from three) or the interior dominance of Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen, the offensive explosion was a direct byproduct of the defensive pressure Bueckers helped orchestrate.
A Second Quarter Surge
The depth of the American roster was most evident during a pivotal stretch in the second period. With the score at 27-12 after one, Tibbetts leaned on his rotation to squeeze any remaining life out of the New Zealand offense. The U.S. began the quarter on a blistering run, holding New Zealand to just six points in the entire ten-minute frame.
During this stretch, the ball movement was sublime. The Americans recorded 29 assists on 40 made field goals, a testament to the “extra pass” mentality that has become a hallmark of Kara Lawson’s and Tibbetts’ system. Iriafen and Monique Billings dominated the glass, combining for 14 rebounds and ensuring New Zealand had zero opportunities for second-chance points. This clinical rebounding allowed guards like Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum to leak out in transition, turning the game into a highlight reel for the fans at “El Choli.”
The “Connector” Role and Professional Maturity
Before the tournament began, veteran leader Breanna Stewart challenged Bueckers to serve as a “connector” for this squad. In a lineup featuring ball-dominant stars like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum, the ability to bridge different rotations is a high-level skill. Against New Zealand, Bueckers showed why she is often described as the smartest player on the floor.
Paige While focusing on her role as a “connector,” Bueckers still found opportunities to contribute to the Americans’ 101-point outburst. (Photo: USA Basketball)
“I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win on any given night,” Bueckers explained. “It might be different. It might be scoring one night, defending one night, assisting one night, being a playmaker—but sort of pull it all into one and just be able to play with any different lineup and do whatever it takes in that lineup and in that possession. I think that’s the main goal.”
That selflessness is a rare trait for a player of her stature. With the 2026 WNBA season looming, this international window has served as a laboratory for Bueckers to evolve from a college star into a professional floor general. She credited her teammate, veteran point guard Chelsea Gray, as a primary blueprint for that evolution.
“I think just her composure and her poise and her voice and her leadership and the command she has amongst everybody on the team,” Bueckers said of Gray. “She’s gained so much respect from who she is as a basketball player, but also who she is as a person.”
A Glimpse into the Dallas Future
While the game was a national team victory, there were significant local implications for the Dallas Wings. Wings head coach Jose Fernandez is currently in San Juan serving as a scout coach for the USA staff, providing a unique opportunity for Bueckers to begin her professional transition months before the WNBA season begins.
Paige Bueckers continues to build rapport with the national team staff and her future WNBA head coach in Puerto Rico. (Photo: USA Basketball)
“It’s great just to have that foundation and build experience,” Bueckers said regarding Fernandez. “It is my first time playing under him and having that experience. So it’s great to build that relationship here before we get moving into Dallas. It’s been a good time to do it.”
The rapport being built in Puerto Rico could prove invaluable for Dallas. Fernandez, known for his tactical discipline and international scouting prowess, has had a front-row seat to see how Bueckers handles a professional system. Her ability to lead a second unit and maintain high defensive intensity, recording three defensive rebounds and three steals against New Zealand, aligns perfectly with the “gold standard” Fernandez expects to implement in Dallas.
Navigating the Blowout
The game remained competitive only for the first ten minutes, ending the first quarter with the U.S. up 27-12. By halftime, the lead had ballooned to 36 points (54-18). Notably absent from the floor was Kahleah Copper; at press time, no official reason was given as to why she did not play. However, given the physicality expected in the upcoming games, many speculate this was a load-management decision for the veteran wing.
In Copper’s absence, the U.S. bench thrived. Howard won “TCL Player of the Game” honors with her 18 points, while Iriafen continued her efficient tournament, posting 9 points and 8 rebounds with a team-high +33 rating. Clark also found her rhythm in the second half, finishing with 14 points and 6 assists.
The Unrivaled Edge
Despite the lopsided score, the Americans never shifted into neutral. Bueckers attributed this to the physical and mental conditioning required by the modern professional game, specifically referencing her time in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. The high-octane, full-court nature of that format has seemingly given the younger members of the roster a cardiovascular advantage on the international stage.
“The conditioning aspect of it… the three-on-three full court is extremely hard, and it takes a lot of conditioning to do that,” she noted. “To be able to translate straight from there to here has definitely helped a lot with that.”
This conditioning was apparent in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. While New Zealand appeared visibly fatigued by the relentless U.S. press, Bueckers and the American rotation continued to push the pace, scoring 23 points in the final frame to eclipse the 100-point mark.
Looking Ahead to Spain
The intensity ramps up on Tuesday as Paige Bueckers and Team USA faces a physical Spanish squad in their final qualifying match. (Photo: USA Basketball)
The victory moves the United States to a perfect 4-0 in these qualifiers, but the ultimate test awaits on Tuesday. Spain represents the toughest challenge in the group—a team known for its intricate schemes and relentless physicality. Spain’s defensive discipline will provide a much more rigid test for the U.S. offense than the Tall Ferns were able to muster.
For Bueckers, the focus is already shifting. “Different countries have different schemes and different ways that they play basketball. FIBA is very physical, so just be able to prepare for that, knowing that going into the W is very physical as well.”
As the Americans prepare for their final match at “El Choli,” the narrative remains fixed on growth. For Paige Bueckers, this isn’t just about maintaining the gold standard or a 55-point victory; it’s about the sense of pride and responsibility that comes with Team USA’s uniform.
“I think the pride you feel and the sense of joy you feel when you put on this uniform, representing your country with the best players in the world on your team going to war with you… you just never want to take that for granted,” she said.
Editor’s Notes
Wilfredo Cubero of Talento Real contributed to this article onsite from Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. For more coverage of FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying, including interviews and press conferences, subscribe to Talento Real at youtube.com/@TalentoReal today!
