Argentina, Canada, Dominican Republic and USA punch their tickets to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup (2024)

08/06/2024

Review

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BUENOS AIRES (Argentina) – Argentina, Canada, Dominican Republic and United States won their respective FIBA AmeriCup U18 2024 Quarterfinals games to advance to the Semifinals, qualifying along the way to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025.

In the semis of the event currently being played at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Dominicans will go up against the host country, while the Americans will face Canada. The winners will match up on Sunday, while the losers will vie for third place.

The countries that didn’t make it to the Semifinals will face each other to determine the 5th to 8th spots.

This is what transpired in the Quarterfinals:

USA98 – 66 PUR

John McKenney III scored 17 points with 9 rebounds and Darius Acuff Jr. added 16 to guide the United States (4-0) win over Puerto Rico (0-4) in a game where their offense started slow, but eventually found its form.

The Americans, overwhelming favorites to win gold, reached their first objective by reaching the Semifinals and securing a spot in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025. They’re also a step closer to winning their 7th consecutive title at the event.

Thomas Lloyd’s squad was down 23-20 at the end of the first quarter, but quickly regained the lead and found themselves up 46-39 at the half – despite looking uncomfortable dealing with Puerto Rico’s physicality. However, they adjusted their defense in the second half, secured the boards and ran the floor to take a commanding 71-53 at the end of the third.

United States grabbed 73 rebounds (32 on the offensive glass), allowing them to outscore their opponents 26-11 in second chance points and fueling their transition attack (30-11 on fast break points).

Morez Johnson Jr. also shined with 11 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals and a pair of blocks, while Derrion Reid finished with an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double. For Puerto Rico, Brandon Lee went off for 22 points and 5 rebounds, while Isaiah medina added 13 points and Adiel López corralled 10 rebounds.

DOM79 – 69 BLZ

Lucas Morillo and Danny Carbuccia excelled in Dominican Republic (4-0)’s win over Belize (1-3) to lead their country to the Semifinals for the second time in history. They also clinched their spot in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025, a tournament they’d only played once before in 2014.

Morillo exploded for 20 points, 16 rebounds and 4 steals, while Carbuccia added 17 points and 5 assists. Both players were crucial in a very tight affair that the Dominicans were only able to put away in the final 6 minutes. They even found themselves down 61-58 with 6:44 left in the 4th quarter before they regrouped on defense and executed on offense to close the game on a 21-8 run.

Defense was what tipped the scales for José Cabrera’s team. They had 16 steals and won points off turnovers 23-12. They also dominated inside, grabbing 54 rebounds (22 on the offensive glass) against Belize’s 41. That turned into a 21-6 edge in second chance points and a 54-24 advantage in points in the paint.

Wilmer De La Rosa also shined with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double and 3 blocks.

Josiah Moseley once again led Belize with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, but he also committed 11 turnovers. Ian Parham added 17 points, Wilford Dawson had 14 and Douglas Langford contributed 9 with 11 boards.

CAN 72 – 68 BRA

Tristan Beckford made a pair of free throws with 9 seconds left in regulation to secure Canada’s victory over Brazil. With the win, the North Americans qualified to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the 9th consecutive occasion.

Beckford finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and, along with Jaion Pitt (17 points and 11 boards), they become the heroes for a Canadian squad that prevailed down the stretch.

Canada didn’t panic after squandering a 17-point lead. Brazil got back in front in the third quarter and led 58-55 in the opening minutes of the 4th quarter, but the squad coached by Ramón Díaz cleaned up their execution and leaned on Beckford to take them rest of the way.

The Canadians had 19 turnovers that translated to 15 points for their opponents but managed to recover thanks to their diligent work on the boards. They won the rebounding battle 54-35 and had a 38-16 edge in points in the paint.

Spencer Ahrens (10 rebounds), Justus Haseley and Jalen Roane added 10 points apiece for the winning side.

Pedro Pastre had 11 for Brazil, while Patrick Perna (6 boards, 5 assists), Gustavo Guimarães (9 rebounds, 5 blocks), Nolan Junior Kemm and Mathias Vazquez contributed 10 points each.

ARG 79 – 75 VEN

Felipe Minzer made a tough layup in traffic and then drained a pair of free throws to give Argentina a 76-70 lead over Venezuela with 24 seconds left in the game, ensure his country’s victory and earn them both a spot in the Semifinals and a ticket to next year’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

Minzer collected 19 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals to finish with a team-high 32 efficiency rating, while Tyler Kropp was Argentina’s leading scorer with 22 points (and 9 boards).

After dropping the first quarter by a score of 21-15, Argentina took control the game by winning the second period (26-13) to go up 41-34. They then extended their lead to double digits (60-49) at the end of the third – enough of a cushion to withstand Venezuela’s comeback attempt down the stretch.

Venezuela’s ball pressure worked wonders, forcing Argentina into 17 turnovers that they translated into 20 points, but they lacked the offensive efficiency to capitalize. Venezuela shot 29/80 from the field (36 percent), which allowed Argentina to qualify to the World Cup for the 12th time in history.

Just like he did all tournament, Jeminson Márquez was Venezuela’s brightest spot, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 blocks. Point guard Ydderick González added 13 points and 7 assists for the losing side.

Daily statistical leaders

Minutes: Josiah Moseley (BLZ) - 40:00
Points: Josiah Moseley (BLZ) - 25
Three-pointers: Josiah Moseley (BLZ) - 4
Two-pointers: Lucas Morillo (DOM) - 9
Free throws: Tyler Kropp (ARG) - 14
Rebounds: Morez Johnson Jr. (USA) - 17
Assists: Justus Haseley (CAN) - 8
Steals: Multiple players - 4
Blocks: Multiple players - 5
Efficiency: Jeiminson Márquez (VEN) - 33

FIBA