USA Defeat Mexico 123-88 to Close Window 2 of 2027 FIBA Men's World Cup Qualifying

02 March 2026

USA 123, MEX 88

The USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Window 2 Team took the court tonight in Oceanside, California, for the second of two games in the window. The USA (3-1) defeated Mexico (2-2) 123-88 in front of a lively crowd at Frontwave Arena.

In November 2025, the first window of FIBA World Cup Qualifying concluded with the U.S. going 2-0 in two games vs. Nicaragua. Window 3 will see the USA on the road at Dominican Republic on July 3 and Mexico on July 6.

View the USA-Mexico box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

Surfin’ USA: USA Basketball came out on fire in the first quarter, pouring in 40 points (to Mexico’s 14) on 77.3% (17-22 FG) from the field and 50% (4-8 3FG) from 3, including a 10-of-11 start from the floor. The U.S. dished out 15 assists on 17 makes and scored 11 points on Mexico miscues. David Roddy led the Americans with 11 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-1 FT) in the opening period.

The red, white and blue continued their dominance through the rest of the first half, going into the break with a commanding 71-32 lead. The USA finished the first half going 29-43 (67.4%) from the field and 11-22 (50.0%) from 3-point territory, totaling 24 assists and 16 points off turnovers.

Good Vibrations: The offense set or met several USA offensive records for the game. The U.S. totaled 46 field goals (previous 45) on 77 attempts to shoot 59.7% from the floor. They dished a record 36 assists (previous 34), with Brandon Knight and Elfrid Payton leading the way with nine each. Dakota Mathias added six. The Americans were one 3-pointer shy of tying their single-game recording, hitting 17-of-39 attempts (43.6%), led by Roddy’s five. Defensively, the U.S. forced a record-tying 11 steals as they scored 26 points on 17 Mexico turnovers.

California Dreamin’: Roddy put on a show for the nearly 3,400 fans in attendance this afternoon. After tallying 14 points in the first half, Roddy opened the third quarter with back-to-back 3s and had 20 points by the period’s end. He shot 7-of-10 from the field, hit 5-of-8 3-pointers and added one free throw. Roddy led seven players with double-figures including Knight (18), Malcolm Hill (18), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (17), Terry Taylor (14, 10 rebounds), Dakota Mathias (10) and Jaden Shackelford (10).

Do it Again: Knight, in his second consecutive window with USA Basketball, was a steady presence in both games. After scoring 20 points (5-9 3FG) vs. Dominican Republic, he added 18 points (6-11 FG, 3-7 3FG, 3-4 FT) tonight. Knight’s nine assists tied a game high. He has 28 through four career Qualifying games, which ranks third among Americans all-time. Travis Trice recorded 33 through three windows and David Stockton 39 through five windows. In four games in 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifying, Knight is averaging 17.0 points and 7.0 assists.

Under the current qualifying format, which dates back to the 2019 World Cup, USA Basketball has compiled a 22-6 record and has finished atop their respective group in both 2019 and 2023. The USA are winners of two of the last four FIBA World Cups (2010, 2014).