×
23 - 29
August 2021
30/08/2021
News
to read

United States capture seventh FIBA U16 Americas Championship title

XALAPA (Mexico) - After trailing by nine points at the end of the first period and by one at halftime, the United States stormed back to dominate the second half and win the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, 90-75, over Argentina.

As was the case throughout the tournament, Ronald Holland was the star of the show for the United States. The talented forward scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting and grabbed 12 boards -- including seven on the offensive end – to post a ridiculous 31 efficiency rating.

Holland wasn’t the only player who shined, though. Robert Dillingham actually led the team in scoring as he dropped 31 points and grabbed six rebounds, David Castillo scored 14 points off the bench and Jalen Lewis also notched double figures in points.

While Canada provided a test for the United States, Argentina proved to truly be the second-best team in the tournament. They played a sound, impressive game as they drilled 36% of their 3’s, got 15 points from Juan Bocca and held a superb offensive unit to just 30 points in the opening half.

Ultimately, it just came down to the United States’ athleticism, skill and talent differential. Team USA crushed Argentina on the glass, burned them in transition and scored 53 bench points.

Despite opening up a 14-point lead – which was the largest deficit of the tournament for the United States – Argentina failed to contain Holland and Dillingham in the second half. It almost felt like the United States went into a second gear in the final 20 minutes that we really haven’t seen from them since they mostly opened up large leads in every game.

Their transition attack was unstoppable. They suddenly had an answer for Argentina’s 3-point shooting. And they had two players who couldn’t miss a shot.

Regardless, Argentina should be pleased with their performance. The United States scored over 100 points in each outing until the Semi-Finals and Finals. Both Argentina and Canada had sizable leads at one point, but playing a full 40 minutes against a team this talented is a tough task.

No team other than the United States has ever won the U16 FIBA Americas Championship, as the country now has seven titles dating back to 2009.

 FIBA