Group USA received the FIBA U18 Americas for the seventh consecutive time in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday June ninth, 2024. The closest sport for Group USA was in opposition to Argentina the place they received by 22 factors. The USA was so dominant by way of expertise that the second staff would have almost certainly defeated the remainder of the competitors in the identical trend. Many of the prime prospects from international locations collaborating on this match already play their highschool basketball within the USA and plenty of are a part of the grassroots AAU circuit. Subsequently most of the gamers right here needs to be acquainted to most.
Worldwide Gamers:
Efeosa Oliogu 6’5 Wing OTE (Metropolis Reapers), 2006 Born, Canada
Efeosa Oliogu for a wing is a load. His energy and vertical energy are what you’re in search of in a wing. He’ll end performs sturdy with backboard swinging dunks. Within the Americup he demonstrated some “shiftability” with a prime of the important thing spin transfer and a euro step end to keep away from a cost. He likes to make use of a crossover to get downhill and if he can get his shoulders previous the defender, it’s practically unattainable to recuperate given his energy. Has improved his capturing vary since his stint with OTE, leading to going 5/11 from three and 12/14 from the three throw line. But he nonetheless appears hesitant to take the open shot at instances and as an alternative places the ball on the ground for a drive. He didn’t play properly in opposition to Group USA which begs the query of how properly he adapts when taking part in in opposition to a staff that may match his athleticism. Additionally whereas he has elite energy, his energy doesn’t appear as transferable when he strikes laterally. Averaged 10.2 factors 4.2 assists 2.0 turnovers and 1.2 Steals
Jaion Pitt 6’6 PF Canyon Worldwide, 2006 Born, Canada
Jaion Pitt who performs within the EYBL circuit for AZ Unity is simplest across the rim. His mixture of physicality and size makes him very troublesome to protect at this degree. He has good, tender contact across the rim and is ready to create area and discover angles off the backboard that many different gamers wouldn’t be capable to end. He flashed a drop step within the submit and used the rim to defend the ball away from shot blockers. If there’s an aggressive closeout, he can dribble to the rim. He’s not a shooter, nonetheless, making it a uncommon prevalence. He has a continuing motor and a nostril for offensive rebounds. He performs just like the prototypical small ball submit participant. He must work on his capturing to make it to the very best degree however will certainly be efficient on the school degree. Averaged 9 factors and 6.7 rebounds per sport.
Tristan Beckford: 6’4 Wing, Hillcrest, 2006 Born, Canada
Tristan Beckford was voted prime 5 for the match. Enjoying for Hillcrest and within the EYBL AAU circuit for Uplay with Will Riley, he was a well-known opponent to lots of Group USA’s gamers. He has elite athleticism showcasing just a few monster dunks, together with a spotlight dunk within the Bronze medal sport the place he in bounded the ball and handed to the submit, then lower center and dunked the ball over the assistance aspect submit defender from the Dominican Republic (footage right here). His athleticism permits him to be efficient within the dunker spot for sturdy finishes. He confirmed some skill to get to the outlet and keep away from expenses together with his euro step. Whereas he made the occasional three pointer, his shot from the skin remains to be very inconsistent and can want some work for the subsequent degree. He additionally didn’t present a lot skill as a desk setter for others. He averaged 13 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and 1 steal per sport for the occasion.
Tyler Kropp 6’8 PF Olentangy Liberty, 2007 Born Argentina
Tyler Kropp led the match in scoring and led his nation, Argentina, to the gold medal sport versus the US. He shot the ball one of the best from three in opposition to the US going 4 for five. shooter, he’s the excessive man after they go right into a high-low sequence and is an effective choose and pop choice. He was notably efficient in drawing fouls at this occasion and he shot it properly from the free throw line going 38/49 in 6 video games. He’s not particularly lengthy or athletic, which comes out statistically in his lack of steals and blocks. He most likely must transition into extra of a small ahead for the school degree and might want to management his turnovers. He led the match in factors and rebounds averaging 22 and 11.3 respectively.
Mathias Vazquez 6’5 Ahead Regis Betis (Spain), 2008 Born Brazil
Mathias was one of many youthful gamers at this occasion as a 2008 born. On offense, he performed principally as an influence ahead for the Brazilian staff and had his finest success in opposition to much less athletic frontcourts, whereas he struggled versus the USA (7 factors 4 fouls in 17 minutes) and Canada (0/10). For Brazil he was a great outlet on offense when his guards have been trapped or received in bother. He confirmed a excessive basketball IQ for a participant his age and a few agility on his drives and finishes. He has a great skill to attract fouls and get to the road the place he shot it at 75% (27/36). He didn’t shoot it properly from three (1/15). Within the dunker spot, he can end performs off with dunks. Mathias’ improvement in his shot and taking part in extra as a wing will probably be important within the subsequent couple years. There are indications that he can do that as he has a excessive basketball IQ, nice consciousness in spacing, agility, and has sown some skill as a shooter from the free throw line.
Honorable Point out
Alejandro Aviles 6’8 Ahead Dream Metropolis Christian, 2006 Born Puerto RicoSpencer Ahrens 6’8 Ahead Dawn Christian, 2006 Born CanadaFelipe Minzer 6’6 Wing Zaragoza (Spain), 2007 Born Argentina reboundsLucas Morillo 6’7 Wing Iona Prep, 2007 Born Dominican RepublicJosiah Moseley 6’6 Ahead Villanova, 2006 Born, BelizeFelipe Quinones 6’5 SG IMG, 2008 Born Puerto Rico
Group USA:
Darius Acuff 6’3 CG IMG, 2006 Born
Darius Acuff was essentially the most environment friendly scorer on the occasion and deservedly acquired the MVP trophy for the Americup. He confirmed tender contact across the rim, and within the mid-range, capturing 33/61 from contained in the three level line. He overpowered opponents to get to the outlet utilizing his shoulders and physique to get downhill. He showcased a fast launch and good repeatable stroke from lengthy vary. He overwhelmed opponents together with his physicality defensively. He additionally didn’t play a lot level guard in Buenos Aires, and was as an alternative the featured scorer for staff USA.
Jasper Johnson 6’4 SG Hyperlink Academy, 2006 Born
Jasper Johnson was an instantaneous offense fireplace plug for Group USA. Coming off the bench, he raised the vitality degree and created offensive alternatives for himself and others. Breaking down defenders and sometimes discovering himself extensive open after a flurry of strikes. The lefty showcased his candy stroke going 11/26 from three (42.3%) in 6 video games. He additionally confirmed some effort on protection, in opposition to Puerto Rico, Jasper ran the complete size of the courtroom and prevented a quick break dunk with a left handed chase down block (pictured & Footage right here). Scouts already knew he might rating, however exhibiting he may be efficient coming off the bench and his willingness as a defender confirmed himself as extra of a whole participant.
Daniel Jacobsen 7’3 C Purdue, 2006 Born Video
Daniel Jacobsen, who’s headed to Purdue within the fall, led the match in blocked pictures (3.2 per sport). A late bloomer, he was in a position to end performs off with two handed dunks. Within the submit, he featured a drop step and an up and underneath transfer. He shot the ball at 65% from the sector and went 11/14 from the free throw line. He wants a pair years to realize energy and weight however at 7’3, he’s within the mildew of a sure Purdue middle that received participant of the yr this yr.
Mikel Brown Jr 6’2 PG OTE (Coldhearts), 2006 Born
Mikel was the start line guard for staff USA and picked up 31 assists to his 8 turnovers within the 6 sport span. With a wiry body, he was in a position to snake his means round defenders to set each himself and others up on offense. He’s a flexible level guard as he can play off the ball in addition to with the ball, as he’s very harmful in catch and shoot conditions. He’s a excessive basketball IQ participant each on protection and offense, anticipating performs forward of time, main to eight steals.
Derrion Reid 6’7 SF Alabama, 2006 Born
Derrion Reid overpowered opponents on the AmeriCup. From the wing or the nook he was in a position to get to the center off the drive and end performs with tender contact across the rim. He featured some elite ball dealing with and confirmed some skill within the mid vary. He was additionally a prime 10 rebounder at this occasion. Solely took 4 threes in 6 video games and made none.
Jeremiah Fears 6’2 PG AZ Compass, 2006 Born
Jeremiah Fears didn’t play a featured function for Group USA, however he was second in steals regardless of solely taking part in 12 minutes per sport and led the match in help to turnover ratio. He showcased each his depth as a participant and his skill as a sport supervisor. Sadly for him, the ball was not entering into from lengthy distance on this match (3/20) and if there’s any criticism to his play right here it will be that he settled capturing outdoors pictures when he was chilly, as an alternative of taking it to the rim. He didn’t try a free throw within the 6 sport match.
Nate Ament 6’8 SF Highland College, 2006 Born
Nate Ament performed the least quantity of minutes for Group USA, however he could also be one of the best long run prospect of the group. He has good positional measurement and size. He’s a fluid athlete who’s expert as a shooter and has good positional handles. He has some work to do to grow to be an environment friendly participant, however it wouldn’t shock me if 4 years down the highway he’s one of the best participant from this group.
Morez Johnson 6’8 PF Illinois, 2006
Morez Johnson was an athletic drive in opposition to the competitors right here. Regardless of taking part in lower than 14 minutes per sport, he was within the prime 10 in rebounding, whereas averaging 9 per sport. He had a mix of 19 blocks or steals in 6 video games. On offense he often was ending off performs with energy, capturing 62% from the sector.
Honorable Point out:
Nikolas Khamenia 6’7 Ahead Harvard Westlake, 2006 Born
Shelton Henderson 6’5 Wing Bellair, 2006 Born
This match certified the USA, Argentina, Canada, and the Dominican Republic for the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2025.
