FIBA U18 Americas Championship has history of great stars

MIAMI (United States) – A new edition of FIBA U18 Americas Championship will start in the city of Tijuana, Mexico. From June 6 to June 12, at the Zonkeys Auditorium, teams from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico and United States, will seek four available spots for 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.

The United States are the current champions and have accumulated five titles in a row and nine of the eleven tournaments. Their dominance has been overwhelming, but beyond the wins and losses, this tournament has always been one of the greatest showcases for the best players in the region.

In the past 20 years, stars such as Carmelo Anthony (USA), Juan José Barea (PUR), Nicolás Laprovíttola (ARG), Cristiano Felicio (BRA), among others, have participated. Before 2006 this tournament was played every four years and, in the U-19 category. After 2006, and now, it is played in the U-18 category and every two years. Let's look at some of the most exciting editions.

2002 – Isla Margarita, Venezuela

Gold: PUR | Silver: VEN | Bronze: USA

Twenty years ago, the tournament was hosted in Venezuela and it was the last edition to be held with under-19 players. The United States was led by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala and Deron Williams, all of whom went on to become NBA superstars and made the USA team for FIBA World Cup and Olympic Games. But they didn’t win gold after they were upset by Venezuela in the Semi-Finals. However, it was, José Juan Barea and Peter John Ramos who won the championship with Puerto Rico.

Other notable players who participated in this tournament were Thiago Splitter (BRA), Lavon Kendall (CAN) and Miguel Marriaga (VEN).

2006 – San Antonio, Texas USA

Gold: USA | Silver: ARG | Bronze: BRA

Team USA regained the Gold under the leadership of Michael Beasley, who led the team with 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. Others were Spencer Hawes, Jhonny Flynn (5.3 AST) and Jerryd Bayless all whom played in the NBA later. Argentina, with Federico Aguerre, Facundo Piñero and Nicolás De Los Santos (18.8 PTS) as key players, took silver and Brazil, with Rafael Mineiro, took bronze.

Junior Cadougan (16.5 PTS) and Robert Sacre (8.3 REB) (CAN), Gilberto Clavell (PUR) and the Uruguayans Jayson Granger (16.5 PTS, 6.8 AST) and Federico Haller had an outstanding participation during the tournament.

2008 – Formosa, Argentina

Gold: ARG | Silver: USA | Bronze: CAN

Argentina knew how to take advantage of home court and had an outstanding participation in front of their fans. They defeated USA with a score of 77-64 for the gold medal. Nicolás Laprovíttola, now a European basketball star and Luciano González, were part of that historic team. USA boasted Kemba Walker, Jamychal Green and Mason Plumlee.

Other notable players in this tournament were David Nesbitt (BAH), Tristan Thompson (8.2 REB), Kelly Olynyk (CAN), Isaac Sosa (13.8 PTS) (PUR), Bruno Fitipaldo (13.6 PTS), Mathias Calfani (URU) and Gregory Echenique (22.2 PTS – 13.6 REB) (VEN).

2010 – San Antonio, Texas USA

Gold: USA | Silver: BRA | Bronze: CAN

The USA team, who went on to win five tournaments in a row after this edition, had Kyrie Irving (13.6 PTS and 4.2 AST) and Austin Rivers (20.2 PTS) as starters. Brazil, who won silver, had players like Raúl Neto (5.2 AST), Cristiano Felicio and Lucas “Bebé” Nogueira (10.0 REB), all of whom would later play in the NBA. Canada took bronze and had Kyle Wiltjer (17.5 PTS), Philip Scrubb and Khen Birch (8.3 REB).

From other countries were Marcos Delía and Patricio Garino (ARG); Gary Browne, Emmy Andújar and Chris Ortíz (PUR) and Iván Loriente (22.4 PTS), Mathias Calfani (8.8 REB) and Luciano Parodi (URU).

2012 – Sao Sebastian do Paraiso, Brazil

Gold: USA | Silver: BRA | Bronze: CAN

Marcus Smart (4.0 AST), Jerami Grant, Julius Randle and Montrezl Harrell, led USA to win the tournament in 2012. Brazil, finished second, had Lucas Dias (15.6 PTS – 8.4 REB) and Leo Demetrio. Kaza Keane, Trey Lyles (13.8 REB), Tyler Ennis, Andrew Wiggins (7.6 REB) and Xavier Rathan-Mays took Canada to third place.

Argentina was led by Gabriel Deck (15.8 PTS) and Pedro Barral. Colombia, which played their first tournament in this category, had talented players like Braian Angola and Tonny Trocha (16.0 PTS – 10.2 REB).

2014 – Colorado Springs, USA

Gold: USA | Silver: CAN | Bronze: DOM

Jalen Brunson (5.6 AST), Luke Kennard, Jaylen Brown, Myles Turner, Tyus Jones (6.4 AST), Stanley Johnson (14.0 PTS) and Justise Winslow led USA to a gold 3-peat with a 5-0 record in 2014. A lot of these players, over time have become great players in the national team.

Dillon Brooks (25.2 PTS) took Canada to second place. The Dominican Republic medaled for the first time in 2014 with Andres Feliz and Jhonatan Araújo (8.6 REB) leading them to bronze.

Other notable players were Pablo Gramajo and José Vildoza (15.6 PTS) (ARG), Tulio Da Silva and George De Paula (4.2 AST) (BRA), Iván Gandía and Arnaldo Toro (7.6 REB) (PUR) and Martín Rojas (URU).

2016 – Valdivia, Chile

Gold: USA | Silver: CAN | Bronze: BRA

The closer we get to the present, the more names we recognize who are currently playing for their national teams. This tournament was packed with players who now are defending their countries in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers.

USA won gold and boasted then-future NBA stars such as Trae Young, Markelle Fultz (5.2 AST), Michael Porter Jr (15.8 PTS), Mo Bamba, Kevin Heurter, Jarrett Allen (9.0 REB) and Hamidou Diallo. Canada had Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17.4 PTS), Shai Gilgeus-Alexander (5.4 AST) and Oshae Brissett (16.4 PTS). Brazil's roster had Yago Dos Santos and Gabriel Galvanini.

Argentina had Leonardo Lema, Facundo Corvalán (5.0 AST), Matías Solanas and Lautaro Berra. For the Dominican Republican, L.J. Figueroa (14.6 PTS); Chile, Ignacio Arroyo (14.4 PTS), Maxwell Lorca and Felipe Haase and Virgin Islands, Nicolas Claxton.

2018 – St. Catherines, Canada

Gold: USA | Silver: CAN | Bronze: ARG

In the 2018 edition, the USA maintained their gold medal with players who are now taking their first steps in the NBA and are already making their presence felt. Some on that roster were Cole Anthony, Coby White, Tyrese Maxey, Ayo Dosunmu (4.5 AST), Jeremiah Robinson (8.5 REB) and Quentin Grimes.

The silver medal went to Canada led by Andrew Nembhard (15.7 PTS – 8.8 AST) and A.J. Lawson, who has already made his debut in the senior national team. Francisco Cáffaro (16.7 PTS – 8.8 REB), member of the Argentina 2020 Tokyo Olympics Team, won the bronze medal.

Ignacio Arroyo (6.5 AST) and Maxwell Lorca (11.3 REB) represented Chile once again, as in the previous tournament they played while still below the age of the category and were joined by Lino Sáez, Kevin Rubio and Felipe Inyaco, who are already part of the senior national team.

Lester Quiñones (17.5 PTS) led the Dominican Republic. George Conditt represented Puerto Rico well, he is now a college basketball prospect and who debuted in the senior team for the Tokyo Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA