ST CATHARINES (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019) – Following their wins on the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 Quarterfinals, Argentina, Canada, Puerto Rico and the USA earned spots at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019.

Argentina qualified to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 following an 87-70 win over the Dominican Republic in the Quarterfinals of the FIBA U18 Americas Championship. Argentina showed its strengths from the get-go, and with a brilliant performance from Giordano, who had 19 points in the first quarter, the South Americans jumped to a 20-point lead during the first half. The Dominicans cut the difference down to 13 at half-time. Argentina went kept adding for the remainder of the game, and celebrated

Puerto Rico booked a ticket to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 following a dramatic 68-65 quarterfinal win over Chile. The South Americans had a better start, and while everything seemed to go their way on the first half, the Chileans escaped to a 10-point at half-time. The Boricuas looked way better on the second half, and as Alejandro Vasquez lead the way with 23 points, they went on to win the second half 38-25. The final moments where intense and emotional, both teams had good chances, but at the end the Puerto Ricans got to celebrate.

USA secured a spot at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 following a dominant 132-55 win over Ecuador at the FIBA U18 Americas Quarterfinals. USA set the tone of the game from the opening tip with clear dominance and control. Bill Self rotated his team and the results never changes; USA kept the same level throughout the entire game. USA shot for a 59% from the field and was led offensively by 20 points from Trayce Davis.

Canada will get a chance to repeat as FIBA U19 Basketball Champion following its qualification to the international competition with a 105-39 win over Panama. The Canadians dominated from the get-go and established a comfortable lead after a 34-9 second quarter. The Canadians kept adding and celebrated the win and qualification. Addison Patterson led the Canadians for Canada with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The remaining list of qualified teams will be confirmed following the conclusion of the FIBA U18 Championships of Africa, Asia and Europe.

FIBA