‘An amazing event for women’s basketball.’ USA, World stars make inaugural Nike Hoop Summit women’s game a night to remember

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom 

PORTLAND, Ore. — The nation’s top girls basketball player came up big when Team USA needed her in the inaugural Nike Hoop Summit women’s basketball game.

Mikaylah Wiliams scored nine of her game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter to help the USA pull away for a 100-79 victory over the World team Saturday evening at the Moda Center.

Williams, who was named the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year and will join reigning NCAA national champion Louisiana State next season, hit three three-pointers in the final quarter. 

“The women’s game is growing now, so it’s just a good feeling to be a part of building that history,” Williams said.

That was the overarching theme of the week for both teams — after 23 years of the boys having the Summit stage to themselves, it was time for the girls to get their time in the spotlight.

“It definitely feels great, especially that we’re creating another path, a new path for the generation coming behind us,” said Team USA’s Kamorea Arnold (Connecticut), who finished with 10 points.

“Yeah, it’s super incredible to be part of something so big like this,” added the World team’s Toby Fournier, the Canadian Girls Player of the Year who had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

“Just the support we had outside, being on that big stage and having people be able to watch us. There’s so many people outside, and I know people are watching on their televisions, too. It’s an amazing event for women’s basketball, for sure.”

Team USA coach Sue Phillips appreciated the opportunity to be part of this inaugural showcase of women’s basketball.

“I think both teams put on quite a show,” said Phillips, who coaches at Archbishop Mitty in the Bay Area. “But I’m pretty confident when these ladies take the stage at the next level, they’ll be playing in sold-out arenas. These are future stars, and it was an incredible honor and privilege to coach them tonight.”

Fournier, who is one of the top recruits in the class of 2024, is eligible to return for next year’s Hoop Summit. She was ready to accept an invite right on the spot.

“I would love to come back,” Fournier said. “Hopefully, I see some of the same girls that I would definitely play with again, but then also just having new experiences next year and having new girls to experience it with.”

Shaneice Swain, an Australian guard who has declared for Monday’s WNBA draft, led the World team with 19 points. Countrywoman Nyadiew Puoch added 16 points and four blocks.

Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) had 13 points, eight assists and five steals for Team USA, and Sunaja Agara (Stanford) and Sahara Williams (Oklahoma) chipped in 10 points apiece.

With Saturday’s game being the first edition of the Nike Hoop Summit women’s game, no one was quite sure how competitive the matchup would be. For the better part of three quarters, the World team more than held its own.

“I’ve watched these young women play around the world in preparation for this game, and I certainly knew what they’re capable of,” said World coach Carly Clarke of Canada.

“We were coming in with the belief that we had the pieces to be competitive. But I’ve had a chance to compete against U.S. teams a lot, and you certainly know that it’s a full 40-minute battle against them.”

A 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter, capped by a three-pointer by Mikaylah Williams, finally gave Team USA some breathing room, pushing the lead to 21 at 88-67 with seven minutes remaining.

“I think it was just all the reps that I’ve put in, and then my teammates feeding me and just seeing me when I was open,” Williams said.