MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – The FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Semi-Final slate is set, and it features a pair of showdowns between continental giants. Thursday’s action in Managua saw Brazil, United States, Argentina, and undefeated Canada punch their tickets to the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 medal round. They are the same 4 countries that reached this round 3 years ago at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup in Recife, Brazil. These are the matchups:
Brazil vs. United States
Brazil, which ended the Dominican Republic’s unbeaten streak, will face off against the United States, which vanquished them earlier in the week during group stage action.
Key matchup
The paint battle between Bruno Caboclo and the American bigs could go a long way toward determining which country advances to the final. The Brazilian center had a slow start to the tournament but dropped 21 on USA in their first matchup and had 19 points and 9 rebounds in the South Americans’ impressive win over Dominican Republic. Zachary Auguste (13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds) is the key element of an interior rotation that also includes Tyler Cavanaugh and Jack Cooley. But their depth at the position could cause problems for a Brazilian squad that lost Ruan Miranda to a serious knee injury.
X-factor
Georginho De Paula, who didn’t play against USA in the group stage, had a breakout game against the Dominican Republic in the quarter-finals. His 28 points and 7 assists were AmeriCup career highs, and he’s settling in comfortably into a more prominent role. The United States may lack the size at the wing to deal with a forward with his combination of ball-handling, passing, and athleticism.
Stats don't lie
These are the two best teams at taking care of the ball, both averaging around 10 turnovers per game. And while the United States boasts the highest-scoring offense (90.8 points per game), Brazil has shot it better from both the field (47.6 percent) and from long distance (37.8 percent). The South Americans’ defense has also improved by about 3 points per contest, so the outcome will depend on whether the USA can play at a faster tempo or be slowed down by Aleksandar Petrovic’s more methodical defense.
Previous meetings
United States has a winning streak over Brazil, having won 60 percent of the matchups in their head-to-head (25-10). The Americans beat them earlier this week in the Group Stage (90-78) and blew them out in last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris by a score of 122-87 in the quarter-finals on their way to the title. The record is similar at AmeriCup, where USA has a 7-3 edge. Brazil did beat them twice in the FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers, most recently in February of 2023.
Canada vs. Argentina
On the opposite side of the bracket, undefeated Canada got a step closer to its first gold medal but will first have to get past Argentina to reach the final. The North Americans have been the best team in the tournament so far, but now they’ll go against the defending champions, who got a massive confidence boost after their dramatic win over Puerto Rico on Thursday.
Key matchup
Kyshawn George and Juan Fernández have been their respective countries’ best players, and while they’re similar in size, their games are completely different. Fernández (17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and the No. 3 efficiency rating in the competition) is a natural power forward with some stretch capabilities who’s been forced to play most of his minutes at center due to suspensions and foul trouble. That allowed Argentina to play smaller and faster, a style that benefited both the offense and defense. Meanwhile, George (15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in just 24.5 minutes per game) excels on the wing, providing a great blend of shooting (52.4 percent on 5.3 attempts per contest) and perimeter defense (1.5 steals).
X-factor
Leonard Miller (12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds) could expose Argentina’s lack of size and athleticism in the paint. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ forward has been playing more as a big man and excelling on the boards. He, alongside Mfiondu Kabengele, Thomas Kennedy, and even Kyle Wiltjer could overwhelm the South Americans’ frontline. The return of Gonzalo Bressan, and Francisco Caffaro avoiding foul trouble could be Argentina’s answer.
Stats don't lie
Canada has both the No. 1 offense (90.8 points per game) and the top defense (58 points allowed). The Canadians lead the tournament in field goal percentage (52.4 percent) and three-point accuracy (41.1). The team is also first in assists (24.3 per game) and No. 3 in rebounds (45.0), proving their dominance across the board. However, Argentina seems more battle-tested, and their 7.5 blocks per game (No. 1 in the tournament) speak of a defense that could keep things close.
Previous meetings
Argentina has a 17-9 lead in the head-to-head matchup, including 14-6 at AmeriCup. The teams split their games during the 2023 FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers, while the South Americans won their most recent AmeriCup contest (92-86) during the 2022 Group Stage. FIBA