The path to the Olympics started in March for Angel Reese. “It’s everybody’s dream,” Reese said. “You want to play for your country. I think 2028 is really important because you get to play in your country and play in LA.” Reese averaged 6.8 points and a team-high 8.0 rebounds in five games at the Qualifiers and now, the star forward will be eyeing the World Cup in Berlin. With the schedule and groups announced, there is one matchup the fans are looking forward to.

Angel Reese and practically the entire roster were barely tested in the qualifiers. That is even with veterans like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu sitting out so that the next generation can get their opportunities. They blew out each opponent except Spain by more than 35 points but defeated the Spanish by 14 points as well. Now, the real test approaches for Team USA and Angel Reese as they are in the Group of Death for the World Cup in Berlin. 

The United States will face China, Czechia and Italy in Group D play, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages.  The U.S. opens the tournament against China on Sept. 4, followed by Italy on Sept. 6 and the Czech Republic on Sept. 7. The draw immediately sent waves of excitement through the fans as they were excited to watch how Team USA handles the 7-foot-plus bigs of China. 

Fans Brace for Impact as Angel Reese Slated To Meet China

“Angel vs. Zhang Ziyu sounds interesting,” wrote a fan.

If you did not know who Zhang Ziyu from China is, you better brush up ahead of the World Cup. Ziyu is a 2.2 meter (7 feet 3 inches) center and she is already overpowering former WNBA players in China’s top league.  She is taller than every player in WNBA history. In the qualifiers, she averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds while playing just 10.9 minutes a game. Reese is the ace of Team USA in the paint.

Even with veterans returning at the World Cup, fans expect her to have a role to play. She is not one to shy away from a challenge. But Reese will need to bring her A-game against this talent that is slated to go top 3 in the 2027 WNBA draft. 

“Team USA going up against real twin towers. Han Xu and Zhang Zi will be tough to defend in paint. USA must play fast with CC at PG1,” wrote another fan. With Angel Reese boxing out Han Xu (who is 6’8 as well) and Zhang Ziu, the team will need options beyond the arc and top-tier passing. That’s where Caitlin Clark comes in. She could find Reese at the correct times to give her open looks while stretching the floor with her almost unlimited range. If the game opens up, Team USA could run riot. 

“so we gotta struggle with the Chinese bigs,” wrote a fan. “China should be a good game,” pitched in another. China has been a rising power in the women’s basketball world. However, the actual results have been pretty mixed. They managed to win the bronze medal in the Asia Cup last year.

While the team went 4-1 in the Qualifiers, they have struggled to step up on the big stage, coming in 9th at the 2024 Olympics. Facing Team USA in the World Cup is arguably the biggest game in their history, especially after they faced each other for the gold medal game in 2022 where the USA came out on top. So, even with the tough ask of facing that tall front court, most fans are confident of a Team USA Gold Medal. 

“All good teams. USA with the sweeeeep tho,” wrote a fan. The last time Team USA did not win a gold at the Olympics was back in 1992 when they won the bronze. At the World Cup, things have been more competitive, as they have 2 bronze medals, a silver medal and 3 group stage finishes. However, none of them are recent, as the team has won the gold in each tournament since 2006. With young stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark boosting veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, Team USA start as the  obvious favourites.