United States Runs Past Lebanon, Finishes 3-0 in Pool Play

27 June 2023

USA 122, LEB 70

The United States completed a perfect pool play run at the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup with a 122-70 win over Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon in Debrecen, Hungary.

With the top finish in Pool B, the U.S. (3-0) will square off with China (0-3) in the Round of 16 on Wednesday. The time for that game has yet to be announced. All games are streamed on FIBA's YouTube channel.

The United States has won the competition eight times, including three of the last four competitions (2015, 2019 and 2021).

The USA-Lebanon box score is available here.

TEAM NOTES

Worth Noting: Today’s was the first matchup between the United States and Lebanon at the U19 World Cup. The U.S. is now 3-0 all-time versus Lebanon in men’s 5-on-5 basketball. The win is the USA’s 18th straight at the competition.

Starting Out: For the third straight game, the United States used a different starting lineup. Kylan Boswell, Eric Dailey Jr., Mark Armstrong, Tobe Awaka and Omaha Biliew started on Wednesday afternoon . All five players made their second start of the tournament.

Boarding School: For the third straight game, the U.S. won the battle of the boards, dominating Lebanon 54-32. The USA also led in second chance points, 23-6, and points in the paint, 54-32.

From Distance: The U.S. his 13 3-pointers on Tuesday afternoon, marking the first time since 2011 that the U.S. has hit 13 or more 3s in a U19 Men’s World Cup game. Tre Johnson led the U.S. with three makes from distance, though nine different U.S. players connected from deep.

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork: The USA’s 28 assists were a 2023 tournament-high (27 vs. Madagascar), and every U.S. player recorded points and at least one rebound. Six U.S. players scored in double figures (Armstrong-17, Johnson-13, Asa Newell-13, Cody Williams-13, Ven-Allen Lubin-11, Dailey Jr.-10)

PLAYER NOTES

Lubin Leads: Lubin notched a double-double for the United States, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Lubin is the second American to record a double-double during the tournament—Awaka earned one in Sunday’s win versus Slovenia.

ArmSTRONG: Armstrong led the U.S. in scoring with 17 points. He’s the third player to lead the U.S. in scoring through three games.

No “I” in Ian: Ian Jackson led the team with five assists in 21 minutes of action. Jackson also scored eight points and tallied five rebounds.