France named its 12-player roster for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup on August 29, 2026, with Gabby Williams and captain Valériane Ayayi leading a squad chasing its first medal since 1953 in Berlin from September 4-13.
ByJulien Burke-
Valériane Ayayi
Position:
Small Forward
Height:
186 cm
Age:
32 years (04/29/1994)
Nationality:
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Depth, records and clinched playoff berths mark a season in which French players — led by Carla Leite and Dominique Malonga — have become a fixture of the WNBA's award races and postseason picture with barely a month of games remaining.
ByJulien Burke-
Award nominations - French players lead the way in EuroLeague Women's individual honors, with at least one tricolor representative in every major category including MVP, Rising Star, DPOY, and Coach of the Year awards.
EuroLeague Women - Zaragoza delivered a major shock in the first leg of the playoffs, defeating defending champions USK Prague 82-71 on the road. Carla Leite's combative performance puts the Spanish side within one win of eliminating Valériane Ayayi, Pauline Astier, and Janelle Salaün before the quarterfinals.
EuroLeague - After winning the EuroLeague championship for the first time in her career this Sunday, Valériane Ayayi will continue her journey with ZVVZ USK Prague. The French international will be joined next season by Janelle Salaün and Pauline Astier in the Czech capital.
