BERLIN (AP) — Julie Allemand stands alone atop the assist list in World Cup history.
Allemand broke Laia Palau of Spain's mark of 108 assists in the first half of Belgium's 80-68 win over Australia that clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. She now has 111 in her World Cup career.
“I'm just so proud because for Belgium, this is how we play,” Allemand said. “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.”
Besides Palau, Allemand has passed Dawn Staley and Sue Bird's numbers in this tournament.
“It's a huge accomplishment over here,” Belgium coach Mike Thibault said looking at Allemand in the postgame press conference. “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.”
The Belgian guard started the tournament with 87 assists, and already has 24 in the first three games. She broke Palau's record when Emma Meesseman hit two free throws with 1:58 left in the first half. FIBA gives an assist out when a player is fouled and makes the free throws unlike in the WNBA.
Allemand plays for Australia coach Sandy Brondello with the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA. Brondello wasn't surprised that Allemand broke the mark.
“I think it says a lot about what she does, she's a pass-first point guard,” Brondello said.
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Puerto Rico's Trinity San Antonio guards Belgium's Julie Allemand during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between Puerto Rico and Belgium in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent has been placed in the NFL concussion protocol, according to a person familiar with the situation, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team's plans for Monday night's game against Philadelphia.
The person confirmed Bagent's status to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the Bears hadn't released their first injury report of the week.
Bagent was expected to take most of the first-team reps in practice after Caleb Williams left Sunday’s 9-3 loss to Minnesota with a right hamstring injury. Coach Ben Johnson said Monday that Williams is “week to week,” and he left open the possibility that the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft could play against the Eagles.
If Williams and Bagent are unable to play in Week 3, the Bears likely would turn to Case Keenum. The 38-year-old Keenum has 66 career starts, but he hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since Dec. 24, 2023, for Houston against Cleveland.
“I think we’ve got a really dynamic quarterback room in terms of guys that are challenging each other,” Johnson said Monday. "They’ve got great ideas, very smart, cerebral. They push each other, and I think we’ve got three guys that can win football games.”
Bagent was 5 for 9 for 54 yards against the Vikings. He was sacked by Dallas Turner on the final play of the game.
Bagent, 26, had a record-setting career at Division II Shepherd University before signing with the Bears in May 2023 as an undrafted free agent.
He made four starts while appearing in five games as rookie, passing for 859 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions. He signed a two-year contract extension in August 2025.
“We’re ready for whatever,” offensive lineman Jonah Jackson said Monday. “We’ve had snaps with Tyson, we’ve had snaps with Case. It shouldn’t be too much of a change.”
Also Tuesday, Chicago made a change at long snapper. Scott Daly was signed from New Orleans' practice squad, and rookie Beau Gardner was waived. The Bears also signed defensive back Nick McCloud to their practice squad and released offensive lineman Kyle Hergel.
The 32-year-old Daly, who is from suburban Chicago, spent the previous two seasons with the Bears, appearing in 34 games.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent stands back to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) stands back to pass during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Banks)
