The USA Basketball Men's U17 National Team secured the top spot in Group B at the 2024 FIBA U17 Men's World Cup behind a 146-62 victory over China.
"Jobs not done, jobs not finished," said Tyran Stokes. "We got four more games to go to where we want to be, get that gold."
Brandon McCoy Jr. got things rolling for the U.S. in the group play finale with a strip steal and a wide-open two-handed slam. The Americans opened to a 24-2 lead over the Chinese just six minutes into the game. The USA was supreme in its point-of-attack defense and full-court pressure, forcing 12 China turnovers and netting 20 points from these miscues. As a result, all 12 U.S. players recorded a field goal in the first frame and led 38-10 heading into the second quarter.
The USA forced 38 turnovers today and accumulated a record-setting 33 steals as a team. The steals leaders were Jordan Smith Jr. (6), Koa Peat (4), Cameron Boozer (4), Chris Cenac (4), JJ Mandaquit (3) and Cayden Boozer (3). The combined 33 steals set a record for any USA Basketball Men's U17 squad.
"These guys are hypersensitive to playing great defense," said head coach Sharman White. "They just get out there and they are active. Their hands are up. They are communicating. They're flying all over the place."
The United States' lead expanded to 30 points (40-10) early in the second quarter after Stokes connected with McCoy Jr. in transition, who rose up and threw down a posturizing dunk. The Americans led as much as 45 and headed into the break with a strong 73-30 lead.
The USA picked up where they left off in the third quarter with a blistering 10-0 run in just 55 seconds. Manadquit, Cameron Boozer, Stokes, and Jalen Haralson had a prolific quarter, propelling the United States to a 108-53 lead.
The U.S. entered the game shooting 20% on three-point attempts but hit 50% of their looks from beyond the arc today. Mandaquit, Stokes, Haralson and Smith Jr. each hit multiple three-pointers.
The Americans continued their relentless push in the fourth quarter, capping off their terrific outing with an 84-point victory (146-62).
There was no shortage of impressive performances today, cultivating a FIBA U17 Men's World Cup record-setting 146 points. Nine players scored in double-figures: Haralson (21), Cameron Boozer (20), Caleb Holt (16), Mandaquit (13), Stokes (11), Peat (11), AJ Dybantsa (11), Jaden Toombs (11) and Smith Jr. (10).
"That's a summation of passing the ball and sharing the ball. What we've been saying as a group is, the open man is the go-to man," said White.
The United States' willingness to share the ball cultivated a new assist record as well. Their 43 assists today break the record they set in their win against Guinea (40) two days ago. Stokes led the squad with 10 assists, while Dybantsa (6), Cayden Boozer (5), Holt (4), Smith Jr. (4), Cameron Boozer (4) and McCoy Jr. (4) contributed significantly as well. All 12 players recorded at least one assist today.
"It says what this team is about," said White. "They're about sharing it, and it's so great to see."
The USA is now 5-0 against China at the FIBA U17 Men's World Cup.
"This is a great way to end group play," White said. "We played together, played great defensively and we shared the ball offensively. We're starting to feel real good about what we're doing."
The U.S. hopes to continue this level of play and will enter the knockout round beginning tomorrow, July 3. The game time and opponent will be determined after all group play games are complete.
