MIAMI (United States) – The FIBA U17 South American Championship 2025 delivered memorable moments in both the women’s and men’s competitions. Several players made an impression for their national teams and are now projected to be the backbone of their squads at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2026. Both the men’s and women’s continental tournaments are scheduled for June, with qualification to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027 on the line in each event. Below are the South American players poised to shine at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2026:
Sofia Novoa (Argentina)
At just 16 years old, Novoa competed in the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2024. One year later, she took on a starring role for Argentina, leading the team to the championship and earning Most Valuable Player honors at the FIBA U17 Women’s South American Championship 2025. In Paraguay, she was the most consistent and efficient scorer for the Albiceleste, averaging 12.8 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field. She also delivered in the Final with 14 points and 5 rebounds. In 2026, the Argentine point guard will look to compete in her fourth international tournament and guide her country to a fourth consecutive podium finish at the U18 AmeriCup.
Astrid Inojosa (Venezuela)
Since making her national team debut in 2023, Inojosa has taken charge of the offense. The ball is constantly in her hands, and she consistently attacks the basket. In Asunción, she averaged 16 field-goal attempts and seven trips to the free-throw line per game. The Venezuelan shooting guard was named to the All-Star Five after finishing as the competition’s leading scorer with 17.0 points per game. Venezuela claimed its second silver medal in the last 20 years, with Inojosa playing a key role in that achievement. She now has the chance to continue making history.
Gilda Duarte (Paraguay)
Paraguay returned to the podium for just the second time since 2005, thanks to an outstanding performance from Duarte, the floor general. The bronze medal and qualification to the FIBA U18 AmeriCup Women’s 2026 were decided against Brazil, and Duarte shined with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. That performance earned her a spot on the All-Star Five. The Paraguayan guard also led the tournament in assists with five per game, while posting a solid all-around line of 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
Pietro Melo (Brazil)
Melo made a strong case for Most Valuable Player honors at the FIBA U17 South American Championship 2025 as the driving force behind Brazil’s gold-medal run. Melo finished as the tournament’s third-leading scorer with 17.4 points per game, while also averaging 4.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds. The point guard was a constant threat from beyond the arc, shooting 47 percent from three-point range (18-of-38). The Brazilian standout is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s brightest prospects in 2026.
Joaquin Caumo (Argentina)
Caumo’s strong play was instrumental in Argentina’s silver-medal finish at the FIBA U17 South American Championship. The numbers speak for themselves: 17.8 points per game—second-best in the tournament—and 46.9 percent shooting from three-point range (15-of-32). The Argentine shooting guard also averaged 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. Caumo heads into the FIBA U18 AmeriCup as one of Argentina’s top weapons.
Kevin Gutierrez (Venezuela)
Gutierrez will compete in his fourth and fifth international tournaments in just three years in 2026. This comes as Venezuela secured the final spot at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup and will also take part in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. He earned a place on the All-Star Five at the U17 South American Championship with averages of 10.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He is expected to be one of the key pieces for his national team in the continent’s top competition at this age level.
FIBA