Deck named MVP; Campazzo, Santos, Cole and Banton named to All-Star Five

RECIFE (Brazil) - With Argentina lifting the AmeriCup trophy as the most prestigious competition in the Americas comes to an end, here are the All-Star Five of the tournament including the tournament’s MVP.

 

MVP – Gabriel Deck (ARG)

Argentina and the competition’s leading scorer, Deck scored in double digits every game of the AmeriCup, averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game heading into the gold medal game before tallying a 20-point, 7-rebound performance to help Argentina lift the AmeriCup trophy.

Deck made 75 percent of all baskets in the competition and even shot 0 percent from beyond the arc against Dominican Republic, being Argentina’s most versatile player being able to score in the paint and command the boards but also could shoot from long range when pressured down low.

Facu Campazzo (ARG)

Alongside his scoring powerhouse teammate Campazzo made his mark as Argentina’s primary playmaker, Campazzo led the competition in assists per game averaging 9 per game through the first five games of the AmeriCup.

On top of averaging 12.2 points per game including a 17 point, 15 assist double-double performance over Puerto Rico, averaging 28.5 minutes per game in crucial games for Argentina, and in his 26 minutes during the AmeriCup final tipped in 13 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists to secure gold.

Yago Santos (BRA)

While Brazil was just one basket short of being able to lift the AmeriCup trophy in front of their home crowd, if it wasn’t for the stellar play of Yago Santos averaging 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3 assists per game for Brazil, they wouldn’t have gotten to claim silver in the first place.

Santos was part of Brazil’s second wind revival in multiple games throughout the competition including Brazil’s Semi-Final win over Canada where his 9 points came at the right time in the second half to fuel their lead, along with 2 rebounds and 4 assists to complement his teammates on all areas of the floor.

Norris Cole (USA)

USA may not have left with the color of medal they wanted, but their bronze medal feat is largely in part due to the play of Cole, who was an all-around playmaker for USA scoring in the paint, from long range, creating shots for his teammates or even crashing the boards on defense.

Cole averaged 13.7 points and 4 assists per game to help USA reach the bronze medal game, including 20 points in the Quarter-Finals against Puerto Rico. Even when scoring just four points as USA claimed the bronze medal, Cole proved his part was crucial dishing 8 assists, being the court vision for his sharp shooting teammates.

Dalano Banton (CAN)

At just 22 years old, Banton impressed with his leadership role and ability to be one of the best all-around players in the AmeriCup as his confidence grew each game as Canada made it to the bronze medal game before falling to USA.

Banton averaged 15.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists as he made his AmeriCup debut with a double-double performance of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Canada continued to fight back in games where they were down to their opponent, thanks to Banton including notching 16 points and 7 assists against Mexico to keep Canada’s AmeriCup hopes alive.

 

FIBA