Beyond Rhyne Howard's stellar performance, Paige Bueckers hilariously reveals an unexpected shared snack obsession fueling Team USA's chemistry.
Team USA’s dominant 110–46 win over Senegal in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers offered plenty of basketball highlights. But after the game, Paige Bueckers delivered one of the night’s funniest moments, and it had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
During a postgame media segment, the Dallas Wings guard was asked what interesting thing she had learned about a teammate so far during camp. Her answer caught everyone off guard.
“I think the shared love of Slim Jims with Rhyne,” Bueckers said with a grin, referencing teammate Rhyne Howard.
The room laughed, and the clip quickly began circulating online.
However, Howard certainly earned the spotlight on the court. The Atlanta Dream star led all scorers with 21 points, knocking down six of nine three-point attempts in an explosive shooting display off the bench.
Her scoring burst helped break the game open in the second quarter, when Team USA outscored Senegal 31–8 to take complete control. While Howard’s performance stole the basketball headlines, Bueckers kept the laughs coming during the interview.
When asked who would win a hypothetical 1-on-1 tournament among Team USA players, the former UConn standout didn’t hesitate.
“That’s a tough choice… I gotta go with myself,” she said confidently before pausing with a smirk as the interviewer laughed.
The moment captured the relaxed energy around a roster packed with elite talent.
On the court, the Americans looked every bit like the global powerhouse they’ve been for decades. Every player who entered the game scored, and the team dominated nearly every statistical category.
Caitlin Clark’s return from injury was another storyline from the opener. The Indiana Fever star recorded 17 points and 12 assists in under 20 minutes, showing flashes of the form that made her one of the most dynamic playmakers in basketball.
Angel Reese controlled the glass with eight rebounds, while Bueckers added nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in her senior national team debut.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, the tournament still serves an important purpose for Team USA. Head coach Kara Lawson is using the games in San Juan, Puerto Rico to evaluate combinations and build chemistry ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin later this year.
If Wednesday’s opener was any indication, the young core — including Bueckers, Clark, and Reese — is already finding its rhythm.
And thanks to Bueckers’ interview moment, fans now know at least one thing about the team’s off-court chemistry.
Apparently, it runs on Slim Jims.