Australian basketball player Bibby had a brief appearance in the gold medal game, registering one rebound over six minutes while achieving a notable plus-minus rating of plus-nine. This statistic indicates that the team outperformed their opposition during the time Bibby was on the court. Coach Paul Goriss had previously restricted Bibby’s playing time in the tournament, particularly against Japan, likely due to tactical match-up considerations. In a prior game against Japan, Bibby played less than 10 minutes and did not score.
However, Bibby’s contributions were more significant in Australia’s semi-final victory over South Korea, where she played 14 minutes off the bench, scoring 12 points along with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Throughout the tournament, Bibby proved to be an essential reserve for the Australian team, averaging eight points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. She showed efficiency with a shooting percentage of 54% from the field, 33% from three-point range, and an impressive 89% from the free-throw line.
Adding to her remarkable year, the 27-year-old made her debut for the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA in June, and although she was waived before the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, her strong performances could pave the way for new opportunities in either the WNBA or top European basketball leagues.
The prospects for Bibby’s future look promising, as her talent and recent accomplishments could potentially lead her to greater recognition and success in professional basketball.