MIAMI (United States) – Big men Nathan Fernandes (Brasil) and Rob Baker II (USA) were the top performers of the final slate of 2025 AmeriCup Window 3 games, played on February 23-24. Despite being a part of the Brazilian squad that snapped their unbeaten streak against Panama (81-74), Fernandes had a magnificent showing that will make it hard for head coach Aleksandar Petrovic to leave him out of the final AmeriCup roster. The 21-year-old went off for 24 points (5 three-pointers), 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals for an efficiency rating of 27.
Baker II also had a 27-efficiency after a titanic performance in the paint. The center had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks in United States’ win over Bahamas (105-83). And he did it all in 17 minutes of action. Iverson Molinar, who was already a top performer in the first slate of Window 3 games, had another stellar outing. The point guard lead Panama in their great victory over Brazil with 25 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals for a 26-efficiency. CCanada’s Mfiondu Kabengele scored in double-digits for the 4th consecutive time in these Qualifiers in his country’s loss against Mexico (98-94). But despite suffering their second defeat in a row, Canada still finished atop Group C. Kabengele had an efficiency rating of 25 thanks to a stat line of 24 points (10-for-14 at the free throw line), 8 rebounds, a steal and a block. Dominican Joel Soriano vastly improved his stock after logging just 3 minutes and no points against Canada. He redeemed himself in the win over Nicaragua (84-67) with a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included 3 blocks for a 23-efficiency.
FIBA