Team USA escaped with a narrow 55-52 win over Italy in Sunday’s FIBA Women’s World Cup Group D game, a game that could live in infamy after one player attempted to sell a call to game officials just to get a foul from the 3-point area.
The apparent “flop” by Italian player Cecilia Zandalasini had the WNBA community talking about her, prompting comparisons to NBA greats notorious for selling a call.
WNBA World Reacts to Cecilia Zandalasini’s Foul-Baiting Attempt, Draws Comparisons to NBA Superstars
Italy was three points away from sending Sunday’s FIBA Women’s World Cup Group D game against the United States into overtime, but the referees did not fall for Zandalasini’s apparent foul-baiting move on the closing Jackie Young in the final seconds of the tense game.
In that moment, Zandalasini attempted to show that she had been poked in the eye by the approaching Young, but the referees saw no contact and let the play continue.
That forced the Golden State Valkyries player to find another spot and attempt a desperation heave that overshot the mark, giving Team USA its second win in the tournament. Zandalasini charged the nearest game official after the game to protest, but to no avail.
The Hater Report reacted to the moment on social media, writing, “SHE TRIED IT LMAOOO. This flop is one for the ages.”
SHE TRIED IT LMAOOO
This flop is one for the ages 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/heKMiDYE7H
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) September 7, 2026
More accounts shared videos of a frustrated Zandalasini charging the game officials to protest the non-call.
Cecilia Zandalasini wasn’t happy she didn’t get a foul call on the final play of the gamepic.twitter.com/nao3aDtg5w
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) September 6, 2026
The sequence prompted the WNBA community to react, comparing her to NBA stars LeBron James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who have also earned reputations for drawing contact to draw the referees’ attention.
Some basketball enthusiasts felt that Zandalasini was influenced by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Gilgeous-Alexander, with one user posting, “The SGA effect has gone worldwide”
The SGA effect has gone worldwide 😂
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) September 7, 2026
A basketball fan followed up by saying, “SGA is the worse thing to ever happen to basketball.”
SGA is the worse thing to ever happen to basketball https://t.co/ZiPCHsZksD
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) September 7, 2026
“She studied SGA,” said another.
Another user hilariously put forth a connection between James, the Thunder, and Zandalasini in a single tweet, saying: “I didn’t know LeBron and the Oklahoma (State) Thunder were from Italy.”
One follower responded saying, “LeBron’d harder than LeBron ever LeBron’d.”
LeBron’d harder than LeBron ever LeBron’d
— Conundrum (@Osage993) September 7, 2026
Another basketball fanatic called out James for regularly looking to draw fouls on the court. “This is literally something Year 24 does regularly. This is his legacy,” they posted.
This is literally something Year 24 does regularly. This is his legacy https://t.co/waIahEDAOB
— Particle Man (@JesseGladsaget) September 7, 2026
“She Lebronned it. That should be a suspension,” said another hoops follower. “Somewhere Lebron is smiling up with one eye. Just proud,” one fan added.
A WNBA fan also mentioned James’ former teammate Luka Dončić while reacting to the clip, saying, “Luka in the 1st quarter.”
After the game, Zandalasini, who scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, apologized for her reaction.
“There were a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside a little better. I want to apologize to the referees. It is just that when I wear this jersey, it is a different beast. And now I feel embarrassed for how I reacted,” she said.
Zandalasini and Italy will conclude their group-stage games against China on Monday at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.
