Team USA holds off France, Reaches U19 World Cup Semifinals

Photo courtesy of USA Basketball 

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC (July 19, 2025) The USA U19 Women’s National Team stayed perfect at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 70-65 win over France in the quarterfinals on Friday in Brno, Czech Republic. The victory marks the Americans’ 26th straight win in U19 competition, setting a new tournament record.

France gave the U.S. its toughest test yet. The Americans led just 38-32 at halftime and saw their lead cut to one point in the third quarter. But key plays off the bench by Emilee Skinner and a scoring burst by starters Sienna Betts and helped Team USA push ahead 52-45 going into the fourth quarter.

Hall once again led the way with 26 points, her third 20-point game of the tournament. The strong guard hit big shots early to hold off French momentum and now averages 19.6 points and 3.4 steals per game. Betts also had another big night, earning her fourth straight double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Team defense helped seal the win, as the Americans held France to just 36.4% shooting. No opponent has shot better than 37% against the U.S. in this tournament. The starting five delivered the bulk of the offense, scoring 64 of the team's 70 total points.

With the win, the U.S. improved to 105-13 all-time in U19 play and will face Spain next in the semifinals on Saturday. It’s a rematch of the 2023 gold medal game, which the U.S. won 69-66.

USA 3X3 Basketball opens Pan American Games with victories

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

SANTIAGO, CHILE (October 22, 2023) The U.S. women's team never allowed the Dominican Republic to take the lead, clinching a resounding 22-11 victory. Blake Dietrick set the tone with a score on the opening possession, and the American squad sprinted to a commanding 10-3 lead within the first three minutes. Azurá Stevens led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 10 points, including a remarkable 3-0 run during a 6-0 U.S. scoring spree midway through the game. Cierra Burdick chipped in with five points to bolster the team's efforts.

Dietrick's clutch 2-pointer pushed the USA's lead into double digits at 17-7 with just under four minutes remaining in the game. Lexie Hull sealed the deal with her second 2-pointer, ending the contest with 3:07 on the clock. The U.S. women exhibited an all-around performance, highlighting their skill, teamwork, and dominance on the court.

The men's team didn't waste any time, storming to a 6-0 lead within the first minute of the game against El Salvador. Their exceptional shooting from beyond the arc, with seven 2-pointers in the game, was the key to their 22-8 triumph. Jimmer Fredette led the charge with nine points, including the game-ending bucket. He was on fire, sinking four crucial 2-pointers that kept the scoreboard ticking for the U.S.

The game also featured an impressive 8-0 American run just before the 5-minute mark and a 7-0 run to conclude the game in style. Dylan Travis contributed six points to the team's victory, while Canyon Barry was right behind with four. Kareem Maddox, with his defensive prowess, played a significant role in limiting El Salvador to just five baskets in the entire game.

Team USA defeats Chile 70-50 at FIBA Americas U18 to advance to semifinals

Texas freshman Jarrett Allen records a team-high
nine rebounds and two blocks in Thursday’s victory.
Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball
Used with permission

From University of Texas at Austin Athletic Communications Department Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 21, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted a team-high nine rebounds to help Team USA (3-0) to a 70-50 victory against host Chile (1-2) in preliminary round play at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Thursday evening. Allen, who started the game, added four points, two blocks and one steal in 26 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded two points in three minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

With the victory, the Americans conclude preliminary round pool play with a 3-0 mark and advance as the top seed in Group B to the tournament semifinals. Team USA will face Brazil (2-1) at 7:15 p.m. CT on Friday, July 22 in the second semifinal, while Canada (3-0) will play Puerto Rico (2-1) at 5 p.m. CT in the first semifinal. The two semifinal winners will meet in the Gold Medal game, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 23.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the United States has earned a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship by virtue of their top-four team finish in this tournament. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s youTube channel: www.youTube.com/FIBA. 

Team USA defeats U.S. Virgin Islands 107-63 at FIBA Americas U18

Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posts seven points,
team-high 10 rebounds and four assists in Wednesday’s win.
Photo courtesy of USA Basketball

From University of Texas at Austin Athletic Communications Department Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 20, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted seven points, a team-high 10 rebounds and four assists to help Team USA (2-0) to a 107-63 victory against the U.S. Virgin Islands (0-2) in preliminary round play at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Wednesday afternoon. Allen, who started the game, added one block and one steal in 20 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded one point, five rebounds and one blocked shot in 13 minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

The Americans conclude preliminary round Group B play against host Chile on Thursday, July 21 at 7:15 p.m. Central.

The top two teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the semifinals on Friday, July 22. On Saturday, July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s youTube channel: www.youTube.com/FIBA. 

Team USA defeats Puerto Rico 103-70 in FIBA Americas U18 opener

Photo courtesy of USA Basketball and
University of Texas ar Austin
Used with permission.

From University of Texas at Austin Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 19, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted 18 points and eight rebounds to help Team USA (1-0) to a 103-70 victory against Puerto Rico (0-1) in the opening game of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Tuesday afternoon. Allen, who started the game, converted 9-of-15 field goals and added one assist, one block and one steal in 21 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded four points on a pair of emphatic dunks, four rebounds and one blocked shot in nine minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

“I thought our guys played with really good energy,” Smart said. “We had typical first-game jitters – a lot of execution mistakes and some defensive breakdowns from a lack of communication, but the energy was really good. And I thought as the game went on, our guys really settled in and played together.”

The Americans return to the court against the U.S. Virgin Islands at 2:45 p.m. Central on Wednesday, July 20. Team USA will then conclude preliminary round Group B play against host Chile on Thursday, July 21 at 7:15 p.m. Central.

The top two teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the semifinals on Friday, July 22. On Saturday, July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel. Please follow The University of Texas’ Men’s Basketball official Twitter page (@TexasMBB) for links to live video and live stats throughout the tournament.