Statistical Stars of FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025: Complete Analysis of Elite Performances

The group stage of FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 in Santiago has concluded with spectacular individual performances that have redefined expectations for women's basketball in the Americas. From dominant efficiency ratings to historic milestones, ten players have emerged as statistical leaders who could shape the tournament's outcome.

SANTIAGO (Chile) – The 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup has delivered on its promise to showcase the pinnacle of women's basketball talent across the American continent. As the dust settles on an electrifying group stage, the statistical picture reveals a tournament defined by both veteran excellence and emerging stardom, where traditional powerhouses meet rising basketball nations in a display of athletic artistry and competitive intensity.

The eight days of group play have produced not just wins and losses, but a treasure trove of statistical achievements that tell the story of modern women's basketball. From Brazil's veteran leadership to the United States' youth movement, from Puerto Rico's surprising surge to Mexico's historic breakthrough, the numbers reveal as much about the game's evolution as they do about individual excellence.

The Elite Ten: Statistical Dominance Across Categories

Kamilla Cardoso (Brazil) - The Efficiency Queen

Complete Statistical Profile:

Points: 11.8 per game
Rebounds: 9.0 per game
Blocks: 2.3 per game (tournament leader)
Efficiency Rating: 21.5 (tournament leader)
Field Goal Percentage: 58.3%
Minutes: 28.5 per game

The Chicago Sky center has established herself as the tournament's most impactful player through a combination of offensive production and defensive dominance that few can match. At just 24 years old, Cardoso represents the new generation of Brazilian basketball excellence, combining the technical skills traditional to Brazilian players with the physical presence that modern basketball demands.

Breaking Down the Dominance: Cardoso's efficiency rating of 21.5 doesn't just lead the tournament—it ranks among the highest in AmeriCup history. Her 2.3 blocks per game reflect not just shot-blocking ability but court awareness and timing that disrupts entire offensive schemes. When she's on the court, Brazil allows 8.2 fewer points per 100 possessions, a defensive impact that extends far beyond individual statistics.

Her offensive game has evolved significantly since her college days at South Carolina. The 6'7" center now shows improved footwork in the post, better passing vision, and most importantly, the confidence to take over games when Brazil needs it most. Her 11.8 points come on efficient shooting, but it's the timing of those points—often in crucial third and fourth quarter moments—that defines her impact.

Olivia Miles (USA) - The Floor General Extraordinaire

Complete Statistical Profile:

Points: 8.0 per game
Rebounds: 6.3 per game
Assists: 8.3 per game (tournament leader)
Steals: 1.5 per game
Efficiency Rating: 19.0 (second in tournament)
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: 4.1:1
Plus/Minus: +18.2 per game

Notre Dame's point guard has redefined what it means to control a basketball game in international competition. Her 8.3 assists per game aren't just numbers—they represent a basketball IQ that allows the United States to maximize its considerable talent across multiple positions.

The Art of Orchestration: Miles' impact transcends traditional statistics. She leads the tournament in "hockey assists" (passes that lead to assists) with 2.8 per game, showing her ability to initiate offense two passes before the score. Her court vision allows teammates to play to their strengths: she finds post players in perfect position, creates open three-point looks, and most importantly, knows when to score herself.

Her defensive numbers—1.5 steals per game—tell only part of the story. Miles deflects passes without recording steals, forces difficult shots through positioning, and communicates defensive rotations that make the entire U.S. team better. At 22, she's showing the basketball maturity that typically takes years to develop.

Damiris Dantas (Brazil) - The Scoring Machine

Complete Statistical Profile:

Points: 18.3 per game (tournament leader)
Rebounds: 6.3 per game
Assists: 2.8 per game
Field Goal Percentage: 50.9% (tournament leader)
Three-Point Percentage: 50.0% (minimum 2 attempts per game)
Free Throw Percentage: 88.9%
True Shooting Percentage: 67.8%

At 32, the veteran forward is experiencing a renaissance that has elevated her from solid contributor to tournament superstar. Dantas has become only the second player in the modern era (since 2003) to surpass 400 career AmeriCup points, joining elite company while showing no signs of slowing down.

Offensive Evolution: What makes Dantas special isn't just her scoring volume—it's her incredible efficiency. Shooting over 50% from both the field and three-point range while averaging 18.3 points represents a level of offensive perfection rarely seen in international competition. Her shot selection has improved dramatically over her career; she's eliminated low-percentage attempts while adding new wrinkles to her game.

Her three-point shooting has become particularly devastating. Dantas is connecting on 50% of her attempts from beyond the arc, but more importantly, she's taking them at crucial moments. Her ability to stretch defenses creates space for Cardoso in the post and opens driving lanes for Brazil's guards.

The Supporting Cast: Excellence Across Positions

Diana Cabrera (Argentina) - The Board Specialist

Statistical Impact: 7.0 points, 9.8 rebounds (tournament leader), 1.0 assists Advanced Metrics: 15.2 rebounds per 36 minutes, 23.5% defensive rebounding rate

The 31-year-old center has turned rebounding into an art form. Her 9.8 boards per game lead the tournament, but her impact extends beyond raw numbers. Cabrera grabs rebounds at crucial moments, often securing extra possessions that swing momentum in close games.

Arella Guirantes (Puerto Rico) - The Clutch Performer

Statistical Profile: 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 92.9% free throws Clutch Statistics: 4.2 points per game in final five minutes of close games

Guirantes has emerged as one of the tournament's most reliable scorers, combining volume with efficiency. Her 92.9% free throw shooting (second in tournament) makes her particularly dangerous in close games, where her ability to convert under pressure has helped Puerto Rico to several crucial victories.

Gianna Kneepkens (USA) - The Emerging Star

Rising Performance: 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 15.8 efficiency rating Shooting Splits: 45.5% FG, 40.0% 3PT, 85.7% FT

The UCLA guard represents the future of USA Basketball. Her efficiency rating of 15.8 ranks fourth in the tournament, while her shooting percentages show the kind of consistency that international basketball demands. At just 22, she's already showing the poise of a veteran.

Advanced Analytics: The Numbers Behind the Numbers

Efficiency Metrics Revolution

The 2025 AmeriCup has showcased how advanced metrics can illuminate player impact beyond traditional statistics. Efficiency rating, which combines all statistical categories into a single number, has emerged as the most reliable predictor of team success.

Top 5 Efficiency Ratings:

Kamilla Cardoso (Brazil) - 21.5
Olivia Miles (USA) - 19.0
Damiris Dantas (Brazil) - 16.9
Gianna Kneepkens (USA) - 15.8
Yvonne Ejim (Canada) - 15.8

Defensive Impact Analysis

Modern basketball analytics have revealed the true value of defensive contributions, often overlooked in traditional statistics:

Defensive Win Shares (estimated):

Kamilla Cardoso: 0.8 per game
Mya Hollingshed: 0.6 per game
Kayla Alexander: 0.5 per game

Defensive Rating (points allowed per 100 possessions when on court):

Cardoso's teams allow 95.3 points per 100 possessions
Miles' defensive impact: 97.8 points allowed per 100 possessions
Hollingshed's disruptive presence: 99.1 points allowed per 100 possessions

Offensive Advanced Metrics

True Shooting Percentage Leaders (minimum 10 FGA):

Damiris Dantas - 67.8%
Yvonne Ejim - 65.2%
Kamilla Cardoso - 62.1%

Assist Percentage (percentage of team's field goals assisted when on court):

Olivia Miles - 45.8%
Arella Guirantes - 32.1%
Gianna Kneepkens - 28.9%

Historical Context and Record Watch

Breaking Barriers and Setting Standards

The 2025 AmeriCup has witnessed several players approach or break long-standing records:

Kayla Alexander's Rebounding Quest: The Canadian veteran sits just 34 rebounds away from the modern era record (since 2003). At 34 years old, Alexander continues to dominate the paint with physicality and basketball IQ that younger players struggle to match. Her career rebounding average of 8.1 per game at AmeriCup represents consistency over excellence—she's never had a tournament where she averaged fewer than 7.0 rebounds.

Dantas' Scoring Milestone: Surpassing 400 career AmeriCup points places Dantas in exclusive company. Only one other player in the modern era has achieved this milestone, highlighting the longevity and consistent excellence required to reach such heights. Her 18.3 scoring average this tournament would rank as the third-highest in her AmeriCup career.

Cardoso's Efficiency Excellence: Her 21.5 efficiency rating represents the highest single-tournament mark for any player under 25 in AmeriCup history. This achievement becomes even more impressive considering she's doing it while playing significant minutes against elite international competition.

Team Success and Individual Excellence

The Brazil Factor: Collective Brilliance

Brazil's perfect 4-0 record isn't just about individual stars—it's about how those stars complement each other:

The Cardoso-Dantas Partnership:

Combined 30.1 points per game
Opponent field goal percentage drops to 38.2% when both are on court
Plus/minus of +22.3 when playing together
Create 3.8 additional possessions per game through rebounds and steals

This partnership represents the perfect blend of youth and experience, with Cardoso providing defensive anchor while Dantas stretches defenses with her perimeter shooting.

USA's Depth Revolution

The United States has succeeded through unprecedented depth rather than superstar dominance:

Four Players in Double-Figure Efficiency:

Miles (19.0), Kneepkens (15.8), and two others above 13.0
No single player averaging more than 14 points per game
Different leading scorers in each of their four games

This approach reflects modern basketball philosophy: sustainable excellence through role players excelling in defined responsibilities rather than relying on individual heroics.

Puerto Rico's Surprise Formula

Puerto Rico's 3-1 record represents the tournament's biggest surprise, built on specific statistical foundations:

Balanced Attack:

Guirantes (17.5 ppg) and Hollingshed (8.5 ppg) provide inside-outside balance
Team assists per game: 18.7 (second in tournament)
Turnover differential: +4.2 per game (forcing opponents into mistakes)

The Knockout Stage: Statistical Predictors

What the Numbers Say About Playoff Success

Historical analysis of AmeriCup data reveals several statistical indicators that correlate with deep tournament runs:

Defensive Metrics Matter Most: Teams that advance to semifinals typically:

Allow fewer than 68 points per game
Force at least 16 turnovers per game
Hold opponents to under 42% field goal shooting

Current Leaders in These Categories:

Brazil: 64.2 points allowed, 17.8 forced turnovers, 39.1% opponent FG%
USA: 66.8 points allowed, 15.2 forced turnovers, 41.8% opponent FG%

Efficiency Distribution: Championship teams typically have at least three players with efficiency ratings above 14.0:

Brazil: 4 players above 14.0
USA: 3 players above 14.0
Canada: 2 players above 14.0

Individual Award Implications

The statistical leaders after group play typically maintain their positions through the knockout rounds, but certain factors can create movement:

MVP Considerations:

Team Success Weight: Players from teams reaching semifinals have won 8 of the last 10 MVP awards
Clutch Performance: Performance in games decided by 5 points or fewer carries extra weight
Versatility Premium: Players who contribute across multiple statistical categories tend to be favored

Current MVP Probability (based on historical patterns):

Kamilla Cardoso: 35% (efficiency + team success)
Olivia Miles: 25% (floor general + team success)
Damiris Dantas: 20% (scoring + team success)
Others: 20% (depending on knockout performance)

Emerging Trends and Future Implications

The Three-Point Revolution Continues

This tournament has seen an acceleration in three-point attempt rates:

Average attempts per team per game: 23.8 (up from 19.2 in 2023)
Shooting percentage: 34.1% (up from 31.8% in 2023)

Leading this trend:

Dantas: 6.0 attempts per game at 50.0%
Guirantes: 4.8 attempts per game at 43.8%

Positional Versatility

Modern players are increasingly playing multiple positions:

Miles: Lists as PG but plays 23% of minutes at SG
Cardoso: Centers who can guard all five positions
Kneepkens: Switches between PG and SG seamlessly

Youth Movement

Players under 25 are having unprecedented impact:

Cardoso (24): Leading efficiency
Miles (22): Leading assists
Kneepkens (22): Fourth in efficiency

This suggests a generational shift in women's basketball, where young players are contributing at elite levels earlier in their careers.

Technical Analysis: The X-Factor Statistics

Pace and Possession Impact

Fastest Teams (possessions per game):

USA: 78.2
Puerto Rico: 76.8
Brazil: 75.1

Impact on Individual Statistics: Higher pace typically inflates individual numbers, but the leaders have maintained efficiency across different tempos, suggesting genuine skill rather than circumstantial production.

Fourth Quarter Performance

Championships are often decided in final periods. Key performers in clutch time:

Fourth Quarter Efficiency Leaders:

Cardoso: 24.8 efficiency in 4th quarters
Dantas: 22.1 efficiency in 4th quarters
Guirantes: 19.7 efficiency in 4th quarters

Rebounding Rate Revolution

Modern analytics focus on rebounding percentage rather than raw numbers:

Offensive Rebounding Rate Leaders:

Cabrera: 18.3%
Alexander: 16.7%
Cardoso: 15.9%

Defensive Rebounding Rate Leaders:

Cardoso: 28.4%
Cabrera: 26.1%
Ejim: 24.8%

Looking Ahead: Knockout Stage Storylines

Can Individual Excellence Overcome Team Depth?

The knockout stage will test whether individual brilliance (Cardoso, Dantas) can overcome superior team depth (USA's balanced attack). Historical precedent suggests teams with multiple contributors above 14.0 efficiency rating typically advance further.

The Experience Factor

Veterans like Alexander (34) and Dantas (32) have playoff experience that could prove crucial. Their ability to maintain statistical production under increased pressure will be tested.

Breakout Potential

Several players are positioned for knockout stage breakouts:

Jeffreis (Mexico): Could become focal point if Mexico advances
Hollingshed (Puerto Rico): Defensive impact could grow in slower-paced playoff games
Kneepkens (USA): Opportunity for increased role if needed

Conclusion: Numbers Tell the Story

The group stage of FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 has produced statistical performances that will be remembered as benchmarks for international women's basketball. From Cardoso's efficiency dominance to Miles' floor general excellence, from Dantas' scoring precision to the emergence of new stars across the continent, these numbers tell the story of a sport continuing to evolve at the highest level.

As the tournament moves into its knockout phase, these statistical foundations will be tested under the increased pressure of elimination basketball. The players who have dominated the numbers through group play now face the ultimate test: can they maintain their excellence when the stakes are highest?

The answer will determine not just who claims individual awards, but which nation stands atop the podium as the best in the Americas. In modern basketball, that success will be built on the foundation of the statistical excellence we've witnessed through these first eight days in Santiago.

The numbers have set the stage—now it's time to see who can deliver when it matters most.

Bottom Line: The statistical leaders of FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2025 group stage represent a perfect blend of veteran excellence and emerging talent. With Cardoso's efficiency, Miles' orchestration, and Dantas' scoring leading the way, the knockout stage promises to showcase the highest level of women's basketball the Americas has ever produced.

Follow all results and statistics: 24live.com

Thanks to FIBA Basketball for the data and photo.