World University Games: Indian Basketball Teams go 0-15
India men’s 5v5 and 3x3 teams, as well as the women’s 5v5 side, competed in the 32nd edition of the Games, held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, from July 16 to 27.
Rhine-Ruhr, Germany: As the curtains fell on the 32nd edition of the FISU World University Games, held from July 16–27 in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr region, the Indian basketball teams had little reason to celebrate and a lot to reflect.
India made its historic basketball debut at the WUG. However, the milestone moment became a harsh initiation, as all three Indian teams, men’s 5x5, women’s 5x5, and men’s 3x3, failed to register a single win.
India finished 0–15 overall and ranked last in each category.
The tournament featured top university athletes from around the globe. While India secured a respectable haul of 12 medals, including two golds, five silvers, and five bronzes, the basketball campaign was a sobering reminder of how far the program has to go on the international stage.
Historic Yet Humbling Debut
This was reportedly the first time India had ever fielded basketball teams at the World University Games, a long-awaited entry into a key space for scouting college basketball talent.
The Indian men’s 5x5 team, grouped with Latvia, Romania and USA, showed flashes of energy, but were ultimately outpaced by their faster, better-drilled opponents.
In a dramatic conclusion to the men’s 5x5 competition, Brazil stunned the USA in the final to capture gold. It was a result that not only highlighted the sport’s growing global parity but also raised the benchmark for emerging teams like India.
The women’s 5x5 team encountered similar difficulties. Grouped with seasoned university sides from Finland, Argentina, and Czechia, the Indian women, at one point, managed to hold Argentina in the first quarter. However, they were unable to mount any consistent offense or maintain defensive intensity.
China beats USA
People’s Republic of China swept through the tournament, eventually beating powerhouse USA in front of packed crowds and taking gold.
In the men’s 3x3 format, India faced opponents Mongolia and Germany that combined physicality with street-smart movement. With limited international experience in the format and little exposure to the rapid-fire nature of the 3x3 game, the Indian men struggled to adapt and went winless. Lithuania, known for its deep basketball roots, ultimately claimed gold in the event.
Women’s 5v5 Results
Preliminary Round, Group A:
India (Riya Pramod Kunghadkar 13 pts, Priyanka Behal 9 reb) lost to Czechia 33-137 [4-32, 17-39, 5-32, 7-34]
India (Priyanka Behal 15 pts 13 reb, Yashika Singhal 11 pts 10 reb, Manvi Srivastava 10 pts 4 ast) lost to Argentina 57-86 [17-22, 16-18, 18-17, 6-29]
India (Riya Pramod Kunghadkar 9 pts, Manvi Srivastava 8 pts, Akshaya Philip 6 pts) lost to Finland 35-117 [9-21, 8-32, 16-28, 2-36]
Placing Games:
{9-16} India (Riya Pramod Kunghadkar 14 pts 8 ast 6 reb, Priyanka Behal 12 pts, Akshaya Philip 10 pts) lost to Germany 54-128 [21-31, 11-30, 8-36, 14-31]
{13-16} India (Priyanka Behal 22 pts 15 reb, Akshaya Philip 14 pts 9 reb, Prashitha Shetty 7 pts) lost to Romania 58-109 [14-13, 14-25, 21-43, 9-28]
{15-16} India (Priyanka Behal 19 pts 16 reb, Akshaya Philip 21 pts, Riya Pramod Kunghadkar 12 pts 7 reb 6 ast) lost to Argentina 65-81 [21-22, 11-26, 6-16, 27-17]
Men’s 5v5 Results
Preliminary Round, Group B:
India (Mohammad Ishan 14 pts, Jeshua Antonio Dos Remedios Pinto 12 pts, Suganthan Balakrishnan 8 pts) USA 52-111 [12-32, 14-32, 11-29, 15-18]
India (Lokesh Kumar Sharma 16 pts, Mohammad Ishan 16 pts, Jeshua Antonio Dos Remedios Pinto 12 pts) lost to Romania 73-108 [17-34, 14-18, 18-26, 24-30]
India (Mohammad Ishan 17 pts, Suganthan Balakrishnan 12 pts, Arjun Lalchand Yadav 7 pts) Latvia 55-114 [19-27, 20-23, 6-29, 10-35]
Placing Games:
{9-16} India (Nathan Abraham Billa 17 pts, Mohammad Ishan 15 pts, Anshuman Shekhawat 15 pts, Arjun Lalchand Yadav 10 pts) lost to Chinese Taipei 77-102 [20-32, 13-17, 22-28, 22-25]
{13-16} India (Mohammad Ishan 13 pts, Nathan Abraham Billa 13 pts, Arjun Lalchand Yadav 11 pts) lost to Argentina 52-79 [10-29, 16-17, 10-16, 16-17]
{15-16} India (Lokesh Kumar Sharma 17 pts 13 reb 8 ast, Mohammad Ishan 15 pts, Anshuman Shekhawat 13 pts, Nathan Abraham Billa 11 pts) lost to Chile 66-78 [21-18, 10-15, 18-19, 17-26]
Men’s 3X3 Results
Preliminary Group Phase:
India lost to Germany 6-21
India lost to Mongolia 19-21
Play-In:
India lost to Italy 7-21
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