2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men

Sao Sebastiáo do Paraiso, Brazil, hosted the eight-team 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men and for the sixth time in eight FIBA Americas U18 Championships, the USA men claimed gold.

2012 USA U18 National Team 2012 USA RESULTS (5-0) USA 105 U.S. Virgin Islands 42 USA 110 Mexico 59 USA 83 Brazil 64 USA 107 Argentina 72 USA 81 Brazil 56 2012 FIBA AMERICAS U18 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL STANDINGS 1. *USA (5-0) 5. Mexico (2-3) 2. *Brazil (4-1) 6. Puerto Rico (1-4) 3. *Canada (3-2) 7. U.S. Virgin Isl. (2-3) 4. *Argentina (2-3) 8. Colombia (1-4)     *Qualified for the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship

First held in 1990 and known as the FIBA Americas Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament, the U.S. improved its overall win-loss record to a sparkling 43-2.

Led by University of Florida mentor Billy Donovan, the U.S. featured a well balanced scoring attack that averaged 97.2 points and won its five contests by an average of 38.6 points a game.

Julius Randle, the USA’s youngest player, averaged USA team highs of 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game. University of Tennessee power forward Jarnell Stokes added 14.0 ppg. and 5.6 rpg., Shaq Goodwin added 12.4 ppg. and 4.8 rpg., and Rasheed Sulaimon was credited with 10.0 ppg. 3.4 rpg. Marcus smart accounted for team bests 4.0 assists and 3.6 steals a game to go with 7.4 points a game.

Opening play June 16, behind Goodwin’s 30 points that came on flawless 12-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 marksmanship from the foul line, the USA recorded a high scoring 105-42 pounding of U.S. Virgin Islands. Goodwin’s 30-point outpouring was the third highest single game scoring effort in USA Basketball U18 Championship history. His 12-12 shooting set a U.S. mark for highest field goal percentage in a U18 game.

Led by Jake Layman’s game high 18 points, the USA routed Mexico 110-59 the following day as all 12 USA players scored in the game.

Getting points again from every member of the USA Team, including a game high 22 points from Marcus Stokes and 15 more from Randle, the USA downed host Brazil 83-64 to close out preliminary round play a perfect 3-0.

Utilizing its superior depth and balanced scoring once again, the USA handled Argentina 107-72 in its semifinal game. The win, which featured all 12 U.S. players scoring including seven in double figures, advanced the Americans into the gold medal game. The U.S. offense, which registered a tournament high 107 points on 54.8 percent shooting overall, was paced by 15 points from Randle, Rasheed Sulaimon added 14 points, Goodwin tossed in 13, Rodney Purvis and Stokes each accounted for 11 points, and Nathaniel Britt, II and Layman had 10 points apiece.

Leading by just six (37-31) at halftime of the June 20 gold medal game versus Brazil, the USA stepped up its defense in the second half to break open its game with Brazil and record an 81-56 victory. Randle helped pave the way to the win posting a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Stokes contributed 11 points and Smart was credited with 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and a game high six steals.

Canada edged Argentina 68-66 in the bronze medal game. The U18 Championship’s top four finishers - USA, Brazil, Canada and Argentina - qualified for the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship.