France completed a perfect 7‑0 run in the 2026 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, clinching the championship with a 79‑66 victory over Israel in the final held in Lithuania.
The tournament, staged from July 4 to July 12 across Lithuanian venues, saw the French side dominate every game, finishing with a flawless record that underscored their tactical cohesion and depth.
A modest contribution from a future Syracuse guard
Among the French squad was Célaine Ricco, a 5‑foot‑7 guard from Seine‑et‑Marne, who joined the program after committing to Syracuse for the 2026‑27 season. Though she logged only 4.0 minutes per game and scored 0.9 points on average, her presence on the bench reflected the depth of a roster that blended seasoned veterans with emerging talent.
Ricco’s path to the French U20 team began with standout performances in the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket and the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, culminating in a French U18 national championship with USO Mondeville. Her limited statistical output in Lithuania belies the developmental focus that Syracuse hopes to leverage as she transitions to the NCAA.
Syracuse’s 2026‑27 women’s basketball roster will feature a blend of international experience and domestic talent. In addition to Ricco, the Orange will welcome Dominique Darius, a graduate‑student guard seeking a waiver to extend eligibility, and rising sophomore center Uche Izoje, the ACC’s rookie of the year in 2025‑26. The class also includes newcomers from France, Turkey and the United States, bringing the total to 13 players, just two shy of the NCAA’s 15‑player limit.
The Orange’s recent on‑court success adds context to the incoming class. After finishing the 2025‑26 season with a 24‑9 record and a second‑round appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Syracuse aims to build on that momentum. The blend of ACC standouts and overseas prospects suggests a strategy that prioritizes both immediate competitiveness and long‑term program growth.
Beyond the hardwood, the achievement highlights the growing globalization of women’s basketball. France’s triumph, coupled with Syracuse’s expanding international pipeline, illustrates how collegiate programs are increasingly integrated into the global talent ecosystem, drawing on successes at the European junior level to enrich their own squads.