The United States won their sixth straight Americas Championship in the U18 category on Sunday after beating Brazil in the final. 102-60 in Tijuana, Mexico.
It all started with a run 11-0, and things only got worse for the South Americans when 1.98m winger Cam Whitmore entered the game. He compiled 30 points with a 4/8 three-pointer, plus 12 rebounds. He had already scored 24 against Puerto Rico and 27 against Mexico. The United States had a 35-point lead at halftime.
Team USA was masterful on defense, limiting Brazil to just 22 points in the paint and eight points in the fast break. This allowed them to keep their opponent below 28% in shots from the field, while only sending them to the free throw line 13 times.
Brazil not only won the silver medal, but also clinched their ticket to next year’s U19 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, alongside third-placed Canada and Argentina.
At the end of the game, Whitmore was named tournament MVP after averaging 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds with 62.5% shooting from the field and 45.5% from three-pointers.
Photo: FIBA
