USA Come Away with Silver Medal at 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup

08 June 2026

USA 65, CAN 67

The USA (4-1) won the silver medal at the 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup after a nail-biting 65-67 loss to Canada. The silver medal is the USA’s second in U18 men’s competition (also 2008). This was the fourth matchup between the U.S. and Canada in a U18 gold medal game, with the Americans taking the previous three.

View the USA-Canada box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

How it Happened: The back and forth first half concluded with both teams knotted at 35 points after four lead changes through 20 minutes. Adan Diggs led the USA’s offensive charge with 10 points before the break. The third quarter was more of the same – with four more lead changes and two ties – after each team built and gave up advantages, and the U.S. took a 49-48 lead into the final frame.

The two squads traded blows in the final period in the quest for gold, as Canada began the quarter on a 7-3 run before Darius Wabbington led the U.S. charge to get back in front, 61-59. The final three minutes saw both teams struggle to score the ball, as defense reigned supreme. Following a Canada 3-pointer to knot things at 65 with 1:27 remaining, a U.S. turnover led to a fastbreak dunk on the other end to put the Canadians in front, 67-65, which they would hold until the final buzzer.

On the Boards All Week: In the defensive showdown – and as they had all week – the USA controlled the glass, outrebounding Canada 46-38. Twenty of the U.S. rebounds came on the offensive end, leading to an 18-9 advantage for the red, white and blue in second-chance points. Quentin Coleman led the U.S. with 10 boards, while Diggs and Colben Landrew added 9 and 8 rebounds, respectively.

All-Star Five: Coleman was a force throughout the USA’s five games, sitting among the team’s – and tournament’s – leaders in several statistical categories throughout the week. In the final, he continued his surge with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. He finished the tournament averaging 11.4 rebounds, totaling 57 total boards rebounds to become first (rpg) and second (total rebs) all-time among USA U18 players. He also averaged 11.2 points and recorded three double-doubles through the competition, tallying 10-or-more rebounds in every game.

Rising Start: Wabbington led the way on offense with 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-4 3FG, 2-2 FT), while adding 4 rebounds and team highs in assists (4) and steals (3). The big man was a team-high +6 in the contest as he scored in double-figures for the fourth time, the most of any U.S. player.