DEBRECEN, Hungary – Oklahoma freshman Sahara Williams and Team USA defeated France 22-16 to claim the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA U18 3x3 World Cup on Sunday.
The gold medal is Williams' second in as many years for Team USA as she was on the United States team that won the 3x3 World Cup in 2022. The freshman Sooner joined Courtney Paris and Gabbi Ortiz as OU players to win a gold medal at a FIBA World Cup while a student-athlete at Oklahoma.
Team USA started slowly in the gold-medal match, with France jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but the defending world champions battled back as a free throw from the Sooner tied the game at 7-7. Another bucket from Williams later in the game gave the USA a 15-13 lead it wouldn't surrender. The Sooner finished with a team-high six rebounds, three points, three assists and two steals in an all-around effort.
Williams was strong all week for the Stars and Stripes, leading the United States to a perfect 7-0 record in another gold-medal-winning performance. The Waterloo, Iowa, product scored a combined 27 points in a format where the first team to 21 points wins the game.
Rated as the No. 23 player in the country in the 2023 class by ESPN and Prospects Nation, Williams achieved recognition as a McDonald's All-American. She was part of the 2023 USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit team and the 2023 Jordan Brand Classic All-Star team. In her senior year at Waterloo West (Iowa) HS, she starred, posting averages of 21.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.2 steals, earning her a place on the IPSWA Class 5A All-State first team.
The 2023 3x3 U18 National Team included Katie Fiso, Sarah Strong, Mikaylah Williams and Oklahoma's Williams. Kelly Carruthers, an assistant coach on last summer's 3x3 World Cup team that Williams played on, will lead the team as head coach.
Unlike traditional 5-on-5 basketball, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and a 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, with teams clearing the ball beyond the 2-point line after a score, defensive rebound or steal. The game is won by the first team to reach 21 points through 1-point field goals or 2-pointers from beyond the arc or if leading when time expires.
For more information on Oklahoma women's basketball, follow the Sooners on Instagram and X (OU_WBBall) or like Oklahoma Women's Basketball on Facebook.
