USA Punch Ticket to FIBA Men's U18 AmeriCup Semifinals With Win Over Puerto Rico

07 June 2024

USA 98, Puerto Rico 66

View the USA-Puerto Rico box score here.

The U.S. advanced to the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup semifinals with a 98-66 victory over Puerto Rico today at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires. The victory ensures a top-four finish and punches the USA’s ticket to the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland.

TEAM NOTES

The Run Down: The U.S. trailed throughout the first quarter but ended the frame on a 7-1 run to draw the game within 3 points (20-23). Nikolas Khamenia gave the Americans their first lead, stealing the ball and scoring on the break with 7:21 left in the second. Neither team led by 10+ points in the opening half. In the third, three Darius Acuff Jr. free throws gave the USA its first 10-point lead of the contest (56-46) with 6:36 to play. The U.S. kept a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Record the Boards: The Americans outrebounded Puerto Rico 73-38 and finished with 32 offensive rebounds. The USA’s total on the glass is the most by a U.S. team ever at U18 competition (72, vs. Panama, 8/29/94).

In Transition: The Americans recorded 30 fastbreak points to Puerto Rico’s 10. Today was the USA’s third game with 30+ fast break points and fourth keeping their opponent to 10-or-less points on the break.

PLAYER NOTES

Double Rez: Morez Johnson Jr. posted his second double-double and second game with 15+ rebounds (15 vs. Belize, 6/4/24), scoring 11 points (5-10 FG) and grabbing 17 boards (6 OR) to go along with 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. He is the only player on the team with multiple double-doubles so far this tournament. With 17 boards, he tied Quincy Miller (6/26/10) for the most rebounds by an American in a FIBA U18 AmeriCup game.

Trey’s Way: Trey McKenney led the team in scoring for the second straight game, posting 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3FG), 9 rebounds and 2 steals.

Reid it and Weep: Derrion Reid finished with his first double-double at the AmeriCup, logging 11 points (4-9 FG), 12 rebounds (6 OR), 2 assists and 1 steal. Reid has scored in double figures in all four of the USA’s games thus far.