LUBLIN, POLAND - The USA U21 Women's Deaf Basketball Team captured the silver medal at the 2026 U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships, held June 5-13 in Lublin, Poland.
The United States roster featured several Gallaudet University student-athletes and alumni, who helped lead Team USA to a runner-up finish. Five nations competed in the women's tournament: Australia, Kenya, Poland, Ukraine and the United States. Ukraine claimed the gold medal, while Poland earned the bronze after defeating Australia.
USA went 4-1 in pool play and clinched the second seed. The USA lost to Ukraine in pool play and made the final, where they lost 75-48 to Ukraine.
The women's team included current students
Kayla Debrow (Jacksonville, Fla.),
Evangeline Diaz (Cedar Park, Texas),
Tiana Starayev (Noblesville, Ind.),
Sophia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) and
Gianna Wheeler (Carmel, Ind.).
The USA coaching staff included Gallaudet alumnus
Emelia Beldon, '22, as head coach and assistant coaches;
Hannah Puent, '25, and
Easter Fa'afiti, '13.
Team USA has won three gold medals at the Deaf World Championships (2010, '14, '18) and now one silver medal (2026).
"It was an honor to coach the future of USA Deaf Women's Basketball," said Beldon. "They came in young and inexperienced, but left stronger and more confident. I'm excited to watch them continue to grow, and hopefully share the court with them someday, repping the USA."
Team USA Results
06/13: Ukraine 75, USA 48 (Gold Medal) |
Box Score
06/11: USA 68, Argentina 41 (Semifinal) |
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06/09: Ukraine 55, USA 51 |
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06/08: USA 77, Poland 55 |
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06/07: USA 78, Australia 42 |
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06/06: USA 95, Kenya 8 |
Box Score
The next international competition for the Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) will be the 2027 World Deaf Basketball Championships, scheduled for June 8-19 in Pescara, Italy.
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