SEVENTH WOMEN'S FIBA AMERICAS U18 CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN -- 2008

Buenos Aires, Argentina - July 23-27, 2008

2008 USA U18 National Team 2008 USA RESULTS (5-0) USA 112 Venezuela 49 USA 72 Canada 56 USA 116 Puerto Rico 36 USA 96 Brazil 51 USA 81 Argentina 37 2008 COMPETITION FINAL STANDINGS 1. *USA (5-0) 4. *Argentina (2-3) 2. *Canada (4-1) 5. Venezuela (1-4) 3. *Brazil (3-2) 6. Puerto Rico (0-5) * Qualified for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship

The 2008 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team rolled over all five of its opponents at the 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Winning by an average of 49.6 ppg., the USA compiled a perfect 5-0 record on its way to the gold medal.

Along with the USA, silver medalist Canada, bronze finsher Brazil and No. 4 host Argentina all earned a berth into the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship. With participation from six teams, the championship was played in a round-robin format.

The U.S. attack was led by Nneka Ogwumike with 12.6 ppg., Skylar Diggins with 10.8 ppg. and Kelsey Bone, who added 10.6 ppg. Ranking No. 1 in 14 of 19 team statistical categories, the USA was perhaps most impressive on the glass. Ogwumike grabbed 8.0 rpg., Shekinna Stricklen collected 7.6 rpg. and Alyssia Brewer averaged 7.0 rpg. to help the USA outrebound its competition by an average of 30.6 rebounds per game, including 21.8 offensive boards. Adittionally, the 2008 U.S. squad collected a total of 280 rebounds to set a USA team competition record.

In its first contest on July 23, the USA scored an astounding 78 points in the paint on the way to a 112-48 blowout of Venezuela. Led by 13 points apiece from post players Bone and Lynetta Kizer, every U.S. team member scored and six players finished in double figures.

The following evening, the USA outscored Canada 24-5 in the second period to secure an easy 72-56 win. The USA again displayed its depth with 11 of the 12 team members putting points on the board. Stricklen led the way with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Bone added 12 points and nine boards.

Against Puerto Rico on July 25, the USA took its first lead 19 seconds into the game and never looked back as it raced to a 116-36 romp that featured six U.S. scorers in double digits. Ashley Corral tallied a game-high 16 points, and Kizer contributed 13 points.

The USA jumped to another early lead on July 26 and this time easily defeated Brazil 96-51. All 12 U.S. players scored, including nine with points in the first quarter. The win clinched a gold medal finish for the Americans, as only Canada, whom the USA had already beaten, could match the USA's win total. Diggins and Ogwumike finished as the USA's high scorers with 13 points apiece.

Led by a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds from Ogwumike, the USA concluded its run through the tournament unscathed with an 81-37 drubbing of host Argentina. In addition to Ogwumike, whose 15 boards set a USA U18 single-game record, Bone tallied 12 points and nine rebounds; while Diggins contributed 11 points.

2008 USA Women's U18 National Team Roster

2008 USA Women's U18 National Team Cumulative Statistics