DEBRECEN, Hungary – The USA Basketball 3x3 U18 men’s team completed pool play with a pair of wins over the Dominican Republic and Estonia at the 2022 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, on Friday.
After falling in their first two pool play games earlier in the week, the men fought back to .500 record starting with a 21-18 victory over the Dominican Republic.
The U.S. outlasted their opponents in a back-and-forth game by outscoring them in the paint. The Americans had 14 one pointers to the Dominicans two, but the Dominican Republic converted on six two-pointers, the most they have made through the tournament so far. When it looked like the U.S. could lose control of their lead, Eric Dailey Jr. sealed the win for the USA with a fallaway jumper. Brandon Gardner contributed five points as well, his highest total of the week.
In the second game, the U.S. battled Estonia in another close 10-minute contest. Estonia led for the majority of the first six minutes of the game. The U.S. trailed by one point with under four minutes before Myles Colvin hit an important 2-pointer to give the Americans a 13-12 lead. The Americans would hold the advantage from there on and take the win, 21-17.
Colvin ended the game with eight points, his highest scoring performance of the tournament. Dailey added 10 points, leading the team in scoring for the third time at the World Cup. His 7.5 points per game average through today is the fourth best among all men in the competition.
The USA men, with a 2-2 record, placed third in Pool C and did not qualify for the quarterfinals.
The USA 3x3 U18 women’s team will play Saturday in a quarterfinals matchup with Netherlands at 3:40 AM ET.
The 2022 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup is streaming live on www.youtube.com/fiba3x3.
About FIBA 3x3
Different than five-on-five, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams “clear” the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-pointer field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins.
Different than five-on-five, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams “clear” the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-pointer field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins.