Elif Istanbulluoglu Named to Team Türkiye for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
September 02, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Istanbulluoglu is the only ACC player named to a World Cup roster and just 1 of 5 active college players on a roster
BERLIN, Germany — Louisville women's basketball senior forward Elif Istanbulluoglu is one of 12 players selected to the Türkiye National Team that is set to compete in the upcoming 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Istanbulluoglu is the only ACC player named to a World Cup roster and just 1 of 5 active college players on a roster.
Istanbulluoglu is the third player with Louisville ties that will compete at the FIBA World Cup. Norika Konno was named to Team Japan while Brianna Jones was named to Team Puerto Rico.
This continues a strong stretch of play for the Türkiye national teams for Istanbulluoglu, dating back to the summer of 2025. Last summer, she was named to the senior national team for the first time in her career. The team competed in the 2025 FIBA Eurobasket in Greece with Jeff Walz and Selim Aldag as assistant coaches on the staff.
Later in the summer of 2025, she was with the U-20 National Team as they took part in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Portugal. She led the squad with 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting .440 percent from the floor. She was one of 10 'Players who lit up FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2025' by FIBA following the tournament.
When she returned stateside for the 2025-26 season, Istanbulluoglu had the best season of her collegiate career. She was one of three players to average 10 or more points per game (10.1) and was third on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game. Both marks were massive improvements from the 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game average from the 2024-25 season.
Türkiye is in Group C with Belgium, Australia and Puerto Rico. They open play on Sept. 4 against Belgium, then play on Sept. 6 against Australia. They close out group play with Puerto Rico on Sept. 7. The top 3 teams from Group C will move onto the qualification round, which begins on Sept. 8.
All three group stage games for Team Türkiye will be streamed on HBO Max. To stay up to date with all of the Cardinals progress through the World Cup, stay tuned to the Louisville Women's Basketball social channels.
Istanbulluoglu is the third player with Louisville ties that will compete at the FIBA World Cup. Norika Konno was named to Team Japan while Brianna Jones was named to Team Puerto Rico.
This continues a strong stretch of play for the Türkiye national teams for Istanbulluoglu, dating back to the summer of 2025. Last summer, she was named to the senior national team for the first time in her career. The team competed in the 2025 FIBA Eurobasket in Greece with Jeff Walz and Selim Aldag as assistant coaches on the staff.
Later in the summer of 2025, she was with the U-20 National Team as they took part in the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Portugal. She led the squad with 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting .440 percent from the floor. She was one of 10 'Players who lit up FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2025' by FIBA following the tournament.
When she returned stateside for the 2025-26 season, Istanbulluoglu had the best season of her collegiate career. She was one of three players to average 10 or more points per game (10.1) and was third on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game. Both marks were massive improvements from the 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game average from the 2024-25 season.
Türkiye is in Group C with Belgium, Australia and Puerto Rico. They open play on Sept. 4 against Belgium, then play on Sept. 6 against Australia. They close out group play with Puerto Rico on Sept. 7. The top 3 teams from Group C will move onto the qualification round, which begins on Sept. 8.
All three group stage games for Team Türkiye will be streamed on HBO Max. To stay up to date with all of the Cardinals progress through the World Cup, stay tuned to the Louisville Women's Basketball social channels.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballWednesday, August 05
Monday, July 13
Monday, July 13
Monday, June 15
