USA Open FIBA World Cup Qualifying Window 4 with Decisive 89-71 Victory Over Chile

28 August 2026

USA 89, CHI 71

The USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Window 4 Team handled business in front of a capacity crowd on Thursday by defeating Chile 89-71 in Santiago.

The Americans held a 44-28 lead at halftime and held their advantage until the final buzzer. The victory gives head coach Terry Stotts his first while serving USA Basketball.

The USA close Window 4 on Monday, hosting Colombia in Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. ET on Courtside 1891. Tickets are on sale at USAB.com/tickets.

View the USA-Chile box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

We Hungry: The U.S. opened Window 4 in Chile with a starting five of Jaron Blossomgame, Kevon Harris, Mike James, James Nunnally and Orlando Robinson. Blossomgame, Darius Brown II, DeJon Jarreau and Dillon Jones made their USA Basketball debuts in tonight’s contest. Pedro Bradshaw, Harris, James and Robinson competed in Window 3 this past July.

Winning is Winning: Tonight marks the first time the USA Basketball Men’s National Team faced Chile in their home country since 1959, when the World Cup was held in Santiago. The Americans now lead the all-time series 8-0 against the Chileans, which includes two victories at the junior national team level (W, 138-59 in U16, 2021; W, 70-50 in U18, 2016). The remaining matchups came in the 1950s (W, 64-55 in World Cup, 1959; W, 103-55 in Olympics, 1952; W, 69-50 in Pan American Games, 1951; W, 44-29 in World Cup, 1950; W, 37-22 in World Cup, 1950).

Almost Had You: After scoring eight points in the opening 5:26 of the first quarter, Chile was held scoreless for the remainder of the period. The U.S. led 9-8 before outscoring the Chileans 14-0 the rest of the way. Tight defense was the recipe for the first quarter heroics as Chile was held 4-of-19 shooting, including 0-for-8 from 3. Overall, Chile was held to 38.3% (31-81 FG) shooting from the field while the Americans hit at an impressive 51.6% (33-64 FG) clip.

On the House: Robinson was the first player in double-figures, scoring his 11th point just moments into the third quarter. He finished the game with 15 points and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. Other standouts include Cole Swider, who tallied a game-high 19 points (7-11 FG, 4-5 3FG, 1-1 FT) to go along with a team-best 8 rebounds off the bench, and James, who recorded 11 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-3 FT) and a game-high 7 assists while adding 5 boards.

Make My Own Fate: After the first round of qualifying, Windows 1-3, the USA stood atop Group A with a 5-1 record. Regrouped for round two, windows 4-6, the Americans currently sit in first place in Group E above Brazil (6-1). For full standings, click here.

Under the current qualifying format, which dates back to the 2019 World Cup, the USA have compiled a 25-6 record and have 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).