MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – George Conditt IV is proving to be a great example of the “next man up” for Puerto Rico at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025, stepping into a bigger role as the team continues its unbeaten run. After flirting with a double-double on Friday (12 points and 9 rebounds in 18 minutes against Panama), the 25-year-old went off for 16 points and 13 boards on Saturday in Puerto Rico’s blowout win over Venezuela. The 6’11’’ big man also added an assist, a steal, and three blocks, finishing with a game-high efficiency rating of 31 to help Puerto Rico clinch a spot in the quarter-finals.
“I’m just trying to pick up where I’m needed,” Conditt said after Saturday’s win. Traditionally more of a defensive anchor than a scorer, Conditt has been filling out the stat sheet through just two games at Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua. He averaged 10.8 points per game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and just 6.3 points at the Paris 2024 Olympics. But with key scorers Tremont Waters and Jordan Howard absent, he has become a vital inside presence alongside veteran Ismael Romero while giving NBA guard José Alvarado another reliable target. Conditt IV is now 10-for-15 from the field across 2 games and 8-for-8 at the charity stripe. Against Venezuela, Puerto Rico needed him to provide more offense. However, in the opener against Panama, his defense helped hold the team to just 53 points, including only 26 in the paint.
In the first game we got a good showing from everybody. It wasn’t a game where I needed to be dominant offensively. My job was to be a defensive anchor, and that’s what I focused on."
Both Conditt and Romero rank among the top 10 in efficiency at this AmeriCup after two games, but a tougher challenge awaits. Puerto Rico will face Canada on Monday, with Group B supremacy on the line. What head coach Carlos González asks of Conditt may change by the matchup, but Puerto Rico’s chances of advancing deep into the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 will depend on his ability to keep filling the gaps on both ends of the floor. FIBA