What happened: Mai Yamamoto averaged 15 points and three made 3-pointers across five qualifying games. She earned an All-Star Five selection at the Istanbul tournament.
Why it matters: Her accuracy has now carried across two international qualifying cycles. High-volume perimeter shooting forces defenses to extend beyond the arc.
By the numbers: 2026 qualifiers: 3.0 made 3-pointers per game on 50.0% shooting over five games. Her 2024 Olympic qualifying percentage was 14.3 points higher at 64.3%.
What to watch: The next benchmark is whether Yamamoto can sustain that efficiency against World Cup defenses.