Ivanna Wilson Manyacka ’27 Leads Team USA to U17 World Cup Gold, Earns Tournament MVP Honors

Bullis School's Ivanna Wilson Manyacka ’27 has once again proven herself among the world’s best young basketball players, helping Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brno, Czechia. The victory marks her third international gold medal with USA Basketball and her second time being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP)—an extraordinary accomplishment for the rising senior.

Team USA defeated Spain 82-73 in a thrilling championship game to secure its seventh FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup title, continuing the program’s remarkable international dominance. After a tightly contested battle that was tied midway through the fourth quarter, the Americans pulled away with key defensive stops and clutch plays to bring home another gold medal.

Throughout the tournament, Wilson Manyacka was a force on both ends of the floor. She averaged 12.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting more than 52% from the field. Her all-around play, leadership, and consistency earned her the prestigious TISSOT Most Valuable Player Award, presented by three-time Olympic gold medalist and FIBA Hall of Famer Dawn Staley.

In addition to being named TISSOT Most Valuable Player, Wilson Manyacka was selected to the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup All-Star Five, an honor recognizing the tournament’s top five players. She was joined by Isabel Hernandez of Spain, Madison Ryan of Australia, Frances Vollett of Canada, and Miya Takeuchi of Japan.

Wilson Manyacka’s impact extended far beyond the stat sheet. She consistently influenced every aspect of the game with her versatility, relentless defensive pressure, rebounding ability, and leadership in critical moments. Whether scoring, creating opportunities for teammates, or making timely defensive plays, she delivered throughout the tournament and helped propel Team USA to another championship.

After receiving the MVP trophy, Wilson Manyacka credited her teammates for the honor.

“It feels great. It was a great game against a tough team, but we pulled through and that’s all that matters.” Ivanna Wilson Manyacka '27

This year’s championship adds another milestone to an already remarkable international résumé. Wilson Manyacka previously helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup and was part of the 2025 USA Basketball U16 AmeriCup gold medal team, making her a three-time international gold medalist. Her dedication, versatility, and leadership continue to shine on the global stage, inspiring the Bullis community and establishing her as one of the elite young basketball talents in the nation.

Congratulations, Ivanna, on this historic achievement!

Sources

• USA Basketball — “USA Win Seventh FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup Gold Medal”
  Official recap of Team USA’s 82-73 championship victory over Spain, including tournament details, Ivanna Wilson Manyacka’s second consecutive tournament MVP honor, and USA’s seventh U17 World Cup title.
• FIBA — “Wilson Manyacka crowned TISSOT Most Valuable Player”
  Official FIBA announcement naming Ivanna Wilson Manyacka the 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup MVP and highlighting her tournament statistics, including 12.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.7 assists per game.
• FIBA — “USA continue dominance with seventh FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup crown”
  Championship recap detailing Team USA’s win over Spain, its fourth consecutive U17 World Cup championship, and Ivanna’s MVP recognition.
• Sports Illustrated High School — “4 Takeaways from USA Basketball’s Gold Medal Performance at U-17 Women’s World Cup”
  Feature highlighting Team USA’s championship run and Ivanna Wilson Manyacka’s second straight international tournament MVP award.