Photo by: FIBA.Basketball
Norika Konno Named to Team Japan for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
August 20, 2026 | Women's Basketball
The World Cup will be held in Berlin from September 4-13
KOBE, Japan — Former Louisville women's basketball guard Norika Konno was one of 12 players selected to Japan's Women's National Team that will compete in the upcoming 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany from September 4-13.
Konno was a four-year player for the Cardinals from 2019-2023. In the three seasons that the NCAA Tournament was held, Konno was part of the 2021 and 2023 Elite Eight squads and the 2022 Final Four team. She played in 94 games over her Louisville career and played in 20 or more in each of her last three seasons.
This is not the first time Konno has participated with the senior national team for Japan. Most recently, she was named to the team that competed in the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. Konno started in all six games for Japan as the team made it to the finals. Konno scored in double figures in both the quarterfinal and semifinal wins for Team Japan.
Japan is in Group A with Spain, Germany and Mali. They open play on Sept. 4 against Mali, then play on Sept. 5 against the hosts, Germany. They close out group play with Span on Sept. 7. The top 3 teams from Group A will move onto the qualification round, which begins on Sept. 8.
All three group stage games for Team Japan will be streamed on HBO Max. To stay up to date with Team Japan's progress through the World Cup, stay tuned to the Louisville Women's Basketball social channels.
Konno was a four-year player for the Cardinals from 2019-2023. In the three seasons that the NCAA Tournament was held, Konno was part of the 2021 and 2023 Elite Eight squads and the 2022 Final Four team. She played in 94 games over her Louisville career and played in 20 or more in each of her last three seasons.
This is not the first time Konno has participated with the senior national team for Japan. Most recently, she was named to the team that competed in the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. Konno started in all six games for Japan as the team made it to the finals. Konno scored in double figures in both the quarterfinal and semifinal wins for Team Japan.
Japan is in Group A with Spain, Germany and Mali. They open play on Sept. 4 against Mali, then play on Sept. 5 against the hosts, Germany. They close out group play with Span on Sept. 7. The top 3 teams from Group A will move onto the qualification round, which begins on Sept. 8.
All three group stage games for Team Japan will be streamed on HBO Max. To stay up to date with Team Japan's progress through the World Cup, stay tuned to the Louisville Women's Basketball social channels.
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