MIAMI (United States) – As 2025 draws to a close, and in celebration of World Basketball Day, we revisit the defining moments of a memorable year for basketball in the Americas. The calendar featured historic continental tournaments, dramatic qualification battles, record-setting individual performances, and club teams reaching new heights on the international stage. Let’s celebrate basketball on its day and relive the most important feats of the year.
Flamengo adds another chapter to its history
Third time was the charm for the Brazilian club in the BCL Americas. In April, Flamengo captured its second title, this time against Boca Juniors, to draw level with Quimsa as the only teams with multiple championships in the history of the tournament, after losing two consecutive Finals. Point guard Alexey Borges was named Final 4 MVP after averaging 15 points and 6 assists per game.
A fight to the finish for qualification
The Qualifiers for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 concluded in February, with the race for the final spots going down to the last games across all four groups. One of the most dramatic moments came when Venezuela defeated Chile in a decisive head-to-head matchup, securing qualification in the closing window.
United States reinforced its dominance
The United States continued its strong tradition at the youth level. The men’s team claimed its ninth consecutive title at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup in June, held in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Shortly afterward, the women’s team lifted its eighth championship— and fifth in a row —at the FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup in Irapuato.
A tournament to be remember in Santiago
The FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 in Santiago, Chile, crowned the United States as champion for the fifth time and produced a series of historic individual achievements dating back to 2003:
Melisa Gretter (ARG) became the all-time assists leader (141) in the modern era of the tournament.
Kayla Alexander (CAN) recorded the highest total number of rebounds (254).
Yuliany Paz (COL) set the blocks record (34).
Pamela Rosado (PUR) solidified her status as the player with the most games played (44).
Olivia Miles (USA) established a new mark with 50 assists in a single edition of the competition.
Mexico and the Virgin Islands on top
Mexico claimed its fourth title in the last five editions of the COCABA Women’s Championship last July in Nicaragua, with Mariana Valenzuela named Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, the Virgin Islands finished with a perfect record and stood atop the podium at the CBC Women’s Championship. Anisha George stood out and earned MVP honors in Guyana.
Eyes set on Qatar
In August, the field for the Americas Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar was finalized. Mexico and Jamaica advanced from Group A in Ciudad Obregón, while Chile and Cuba secured qualification spots in Group B in Valdivia, officially beginning their road to the World Cup.
A giant returns to the summit
In September, a 16-year drought came to an end as Brazil returned to the top of the podium at the FIBA AmeriCup, avenging their loss to Argentina in the Final of the previous edition on home soil. Brazil’s appearance in the championship game was made possible by a historic moment: a massive comeback in the Semifinals against the United States. The South American squad trailed by 20 early in the third quarter and entered the final period still down by double digits. Over the final eight minutes, they capped a stunning 31–4 run to win by a wide margin.
The tournament held in Nicaragua also produced historic individual records:
Norchad Omier (NCA) recorded the first 30-point, 20-rebound double-double in tournament history and finished that game with an efficiency rating of 48, a new AmeriCup record.
Juan Fernández (ARG) tallied eight blocks in a game, tying the mark set by Peter John Ramos (Puerto Rico).
Argentina totaled 15 team blocks to set a new record, surpassing the 11 posted by the Dominican Republic in the same competition.
Ferro unstoppable
Ferro was the most dominant team in the 2025 South American Basketball League and claimed the title undefeated by beating Regatas Corrientes in the Grand Finale, an all-Argentine showdown. Center Eduardo Vasirani was named Final 4 MVP after averaging 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals over the two games. In the championship game, the big man delivered 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Argentina, Brazil capture U17 gold
Argentina returned to the top of the FIBA U17 Women's South American Championship after eight years, securing its third title in the category since 2005 by defeating Venezuela in the Final. Sofía Novoa was named Most Valuable Player, averaging 12.8 points, 1.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. In the FIBA U17 Men's South American Championship, Brazil did the same, lifting its third trophy since 2005 and its first since 2019 after defeating Argentina in the decisive match. Pedro Souza earned the MVP award after averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
A new BCL Americas season takes shape
The opening stage of the new Basketball Champions League Americas season offered early surprises, with reigning champion Flamengo and contender SESI Franca facing unexpected challenges, a reminder of the competition’s growing depth.
Nacional’s Connor Zinaich emerged as the standout performer of the opening phase, leading all players in efficiency (26.0) while averaging 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. With plenty of basketball still ahead, the first chapter of the season has already left a strong impression.
FIBA