111 Assists: Julie Allemand and Belgium's Art of Passing at the FIBA Women's World Cup

The number 111. Not 111 points, not 111 games, but 111 assists. Julie Allemand has just rewritten the history of women's basketball worldwide, surpassing Laia Palau's record of 108 assists - a number that seemed untouchable for years. When the clock in the Belgium vs. Australia match showed 1:58 remaining in the first half, Allemand officially set a new milestone. But this number didn't appear naturally - it's the product of a system, a philosophy, and a rule difference that few people notice. This match was not merely a group-stage game. Belgium needed a win to secure their spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup. Their opponent was Australia, a team with a strong tradition led by Sandy Brondello, a strategist who spent many years in the WNBA. In that context, Allemand - Belgium's primary ball-handler, who plays for the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA - delivered a landmark performance. Not through scoring, but through orchestration, assists, and making her teammates better. Belgium won 80-68 over Australia, a result that not only secured their quarterfinal berth but also created a historic moment. Allemand, as the team's offensive organizer, proved that a point guard can influence a game without scoring many points. She is the heart of the team, the one who controls the tempo and creates opportunities for her teammates. To fully understand the significance of this record, we must look at the historical context. The previous assist record at the FIBA Women's World Cup belonged to Laia Palau, a legend of Spanish basketball, with 108 assists. Palau set this number over multiple World Cups, and it was considered one of the most difficult records to break in women's basketball. The fact that Allemand broke it in a single World Cup is astonishing, and it demonstrates her superiority in the playmaking role. Allemand's record of 111 assists is not just an individual achievement. It reflects the collective style of the entire Belgian team - a team that Allemand proudly describes: "We are so unselfish. I'm just happy to have that one as a special one, especially when you look at the names next to me." She is referring to surpassing Dawn Staley, Sue Bird, and Laia Palau - true legends of women's basketball worldwide. But there's an important technical detail many overlook: FIBA rules differ from the WNBA. In FIBA, a pass that leads to a made free throw still counts as an assist. In contrast, the WNBA does not apply this rule. This very difference helped Allemand break the record in the first half, when Emma Meesseman made two free throws from one of her passes. This doesn't diminish the value of Allemand's achievement. As Belgium's coach, Mike Thibault, noted: "The leading assist person in World Cup history after today. Some pretty good players on that list too, so I think that's pretty exciting." Thibault understands the value of this record, and he knows Allemand is not a player who chases individual stats. The numbers show Allemand's incredible consistency: she started the tournament with 87 career World Cup assists, and after just 3 games, she added 24 more. Total 111, breaking the old record. This shows she didn't just have one lucky game, but maintained peak form throughout the tournament. In the match against Australia, she set the game's tempo, constantly finding teammates in favorable positions, and forced Australia's defense to continuously adjust. Another noteworthy point is the difference in assist counting between FIBA and the WNBA. While the WNBA only counts an assist when a pass directly leads to a made basket, FIBA also counts passes that lead to made free throws. This means Allemand, who plays in both leagues, can have different numbers depending on the rules applied. However, this doesn't diminish the record's value, because every other player in World Cup history had to follow the same rules. Tactical analysis shows Belgium operates an offensive system based on continuous ball movement and each player's willingness to sacrifice. Allemand is the central orchestrator, but she's not the only one creating opportunities. Emma Meesseman, one of Belgium's best players, constantly moves off the ball to create space, and other players also prefer passing over scoring. This unselfishness created an ideal environment for Allemand to showcase her playmaking ability. Many will rush to conclude that this record was "inflated" by FIBA rules. But that misses the bigger picture. Allemand is not a scorer; she is a pure point guard who prioritizes creating opportunities for teammates above all. Sandy Brondello, Australia's coach and Allemand's coach at Toronto Tempo, confirmed: "I think it says a lot about what she does, she's a pass-first point guard." In fact, this record reflects a basketball philosophy that is fading in an era focused on scoring and individual efficiency. Belgium has proven that collective play, with constant ball movement and selflessness, can still produce historic results. Allemand's record is not a story of an exceptional individual, but a story of a perfectly functioning system. Look at the names Allemand has surpassed: Dawn Staley, one of the greatest point guards in history; Sue Bird, who dominated the WNBA for two decades; Laia Palau, a Spanish basketball legend. Surpassing these names is not something achievable through one lucky game. It requires consistency, intelligence in reading the game, and the ability to make teammates better. Another perspective: this record is also a reminder that international women's basketball is developing strongly. The emergence of players like Allemand, who compete in both the WNBA and national teams, has raised the quality of international competitions. This creates a positive cycle: players learn from each other, national teams become stronger, and tournaments become more attractive. After breaking the record, the question arises whether Allemand can maintain this form in the remaining World Cup games. With Belgium securing a quarterfinal spot, they will face stronger opponents, and the pressure will increase. However, with the collective style Belgium has built, and with Allemand's leadership, they can certainly spring surprises. Furthermore, this record raises questions about differences between leagues. Can Allemand achieve similar numbers in the WNBA, where rules differ? The answer may be no, but that doesn't diminish what she accomplished at the World Cup. Each tournament has its own characteristics, and adapting to each environment is a crucial skill for a professional athlete. Ultimately, Allemand's record is testament to the growth of women's basketball worldwide. As more countries invest in women's basketball, the quality of competition will continue to rise, and records like this will become increasingly harder to break. That's good for the sport, and it's an inspiration for the next generation of players. Looking at the number 111, I don't see an individual record. I see affirmation that basketball remains a team sport. Julie Allemand has shown the world that sometimes, the best way to make your mark is not by shooting, but by passing the ball for others to do so. And when you have a team that trusts each other, records will naturally come. Belgium has proven they are not just a team with outstanding individuals, but a cohesive unit where everyone is willing to sacrifice for the common goal. And Allemand, as the leader, has become the embodiment of that philosophy. The record of 111 assists will be mentioned for years, but more important is the lesson about the power of selflessness in sports. For Vietnamese basketball, Allemand's story is a valuable reminder. While we often focus on scorers, the playmakers - those who make teammates better - also deserve recognition. Basketball is a team sport, and records like Allemand's prove that selflessness can achieve extraordinary things.