×
07 - 15
August 2021
6 Caitlin Clark (USA)
09/08/2021
News
to read

USA, Argentina, Canada pick up victories in FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup

MIAMI (USA) - Four teams arrived in Hungary to represent the Americas region at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, from August 7 to 15, in hopes of showing the world the talented youth from across the ocean.

Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States all have played two matches each, with USA staying undefeated as they have won both their games by a margin of 40 points or more against Italy and Australia, finishing off their group play against Egypt on Tuesday.

USA, who is defending their FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019 title, has had their offensive charge led by Caitlin Clark, the Iowa guard now entering her sophomore year that helped the Hawkeyes secure their best ever finish at the women’s March Madness tournament this spring.

Clark is leading USA in both points and assists, scoring an average of 18.5 points and dishing 5.5 assists per game, but Lauren Betts, who is committed to current national champion Stanford, is showcasing her grit on the boards as well as her shooting arsenal with an average of 14.5 points and 7 rebounds per game this tournament.

Despite their 1-1 record, and their loss coming from a one-point game against Japan, Canada has brought some of the best players in the tournament, as Syracuse women’s basketball commit Shayeann Day-Wilson is averaging a whopping 30 points per game and scored 31 points and 7 assists in Canada’s 79-71 win over Czech Republic to put them at 1-1 and give them the best chance of moving past the group phase.

Yvonne Ejim, who just finished her freshman year at Gonzaga University, is also putting on a clinic for Canada, as she is averaging a near double-double with an average of 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, getting on the glass from both ends of the court and denying any second-chance points from the opposition.

Argentina are also sitting at 1-1, in a group with top ranked Russia as well as host nation Hungary, but the duo of Augustina Marin and Georgina Buzzetti have propelled Argentina to a .500 record heading into their next game against Hungary.

Marin leads the team in points and assists with an average of 9.5 points and 3 assist per game, driving the offense and setting up baskets for her teammates. Buzzetti, while still averaging 8 points per game, is the rebounding machine for Argentina, averaging 11 per game with her time on the glass divided on both ends of the court, protecting the rim as well as getting those put back baskets for her team.

Lastly, Brazil may have an 0-2 record, but in a group with both France and Spain, the team has a tough road to secure a better seed in the round of 16. However, twin sisters Maiara and Maisa Pereira have been dominant for their country, with Maiara leading the team in averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while her sister Maisa sits second in scoring with 5.5 points and averages 3 assists per game as well.

All four teams have proven why the Americas are one of the fastest growing nations for women’s basketball, and will be looking to advance pas t the round of 16 and bring home the title to the Americas region once again.

 FIBA