Fran Belibi and Madison Hema competing in U17 women’s basketball World Cup
Fran Belibi (Regis Jesuit) and Madison Hema (Castle View) are representing Colorado on the international stage this week, with each competing in the under-17 women’s basketball World Cup in Belarus.
Belibi has helped the U.S. U17 team off to a 3-0 start through pool play. The Americans secured the No. 1 seed out of Group B on Tuesday morning following a 107-50 win over China. They will face Colombia, the fourth seed in Group A, in Wednesday’s Round of 16.
Through three games, Belibi is averaging 7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. She had a breakout game in the second game of the tournament against Mali, when she scored 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting, and also hauled down six rebounds, and had three steals.
Belibi was also a member of the U16 U.S. squad that won gold in Argentina last summer.
Hema, a dual citizen of both New Zealand and the U.S., is making history with New Zealand as the squad takes part in its first-ever age-group World Championship event.
New Zealand went 0-3 during pool play, with losses to Spain (83-48), Hungary (68-60) and Argentina (60-52).
Hema is averaging 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 7.1 minutes per game.
New Zealand, the fourth seed in Group C, will face rival Australia, the top seed in Group D, in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
Both players will be seniors at their respective schools this fall.
