International Impact: Portland Pilots Shine at 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup
SHENZEN, China – The Portland Pilots Women’s Basketball program continues to make waves on the global stage, with alumni Emme Shearer from New Zealand and Alex Fowler from Australia showcasing their talents at the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. This tournament features top national teams from FIBA Asia and FIBA Oceania, providing a pathway for teams to qualify for the FIBA World Cup.
FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Overview
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, held every two years, is a critical tournament where the top teams vie for a position at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The tournament is divided into two groups, with New Zealand competing in Group A and Australia in Group B.
Emme Shearer: A Standout Performer
Through two games, Shearer leads New Zealand in scoring, averaging 15 points along with 5.5 rebounds and three assists per game. In the opener against Korea, she scored a remarkable 22 points, complemented by four rebounds and three assists. New Zealand currently holds a 1-1 record in Group A, ranking third due to a tiebreaker.
Alex Fowler’s Contributions to Australia
Fowler has emerged as a key contributor for Australia, averaging 11 points, six rebounds, and 4.3 assists in just over 21 minutes of play. Australia topped Group B, with Fowler earning praise for her performances: she notched 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists against the Philippines, then replicated the feat with similar stats against Lebanon.
Notable Achievements in Pilots History
Both players have left an indelible mark on the Portland Pilots, significantly contributing to the team’s recent successes. This past season, Shearer helped guide the Pilots to an impressive 31-5 record, the best in the program’s history. She averaged a team-high 16.7 points per game and was a pivotal figure in winning two WCC Tournament Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Fowler is not only one of the premier players in Pilots history but also among the best in the West Coast Conference (WCC). Her accolades include being a four-time All-WCC First Team selection and a two-time WCC Tournament MVP. Fowler holds numerous records, including being the all-time leader at the Division I level in several key categories such as scoring (2,132 points) and field goal percentage (55%).
Season Highlights for the Pilots
The Pilots concluded the season with a remarkable 31-5 overall record and a 17-3 mark in WCC play, securing a share of the WCC regular-season title. They reached the WBIT quarterfinals after achieving their first two playoff victories on the road and made their fourth WCC Tournament championship appearance in six years.
Looking Ahead
Australia has progressed to the semifinals, gathering six points in Group B. Meanwhile, New Zealand will seek to clinch a semifinal spot against the host nation, China, in their next matchup.
For fans wishing to attend upcoming Portland Pilots events, tickets can be purchased through PortlandPilots.com or the Portland Pilots App. Group and fan experience packages are available by emailing pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.
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