The United States U17 National Team wrapped up a dominant run to its seventh consecutive gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkiye on Sunday, defeating Italy 129-88.
The championship contest was never in doubt as the United States jumped out to a 32-19 lead at the end of the first quarter before opening things up in the second period. The U.S. extended its halftime lead to 73-36 at the half and maintained their lopsided advantage at 100-63 at the end of the third quarter.
Tyran Stokes of
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) contributed 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals,
A.J. Dybantsa of
Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah) chipped in 14 points, four rebounds and three assists and
Brandon McCoy of
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) tallied 13 points, four assists and three steals.
J.J. Mandaquit of Utah Prep also dished out a game-high 10 assists in the victory.
Tyran Stokes continued his impressive tournament with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals in the gold medal game. (Photo: Ed Turlington)
In the title game victory, the U.S. team shot 60.5 percent from the field on 44 assists, while forcing Italy into 22 turnovers. Italy connected on 13-of-25 3-point attempts, propelling them to the most points in the tournament against the stifling American defense.
The dominant Americans knocked off France 104-81 before taking down
Guinea 124-49 and blowing past China 146-62 to close out the group
phrase.
Team USA opened elimination play with a
141-45 blowout of Philippines in the round of 16, defeated Canada
111-60 in the quarterfinals and shellacked New Zealand 145-65 in the
semifinals to advance to Sunday's title game.
Cameron Boozer was named tournament MVP after averaging 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 69.9 percent (55-of-79 from the field) and 28-of-33 from the free throw line (84.8 percent).
Dating back to 2010, the United States is now 51-0 in FIBA U17 World Cup competition.
