Canada's U18 basketball team upsets USA for first AmeriCup gold
In Mexico, Canada swept three group-stage games and knocked off a powerhouse American team 67-65 to win the FIBA U18 men's championship. The USA had won seven consecutive tournaments.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Canada's U18 men's basketball team pulled off a stunning upset Sunday, defeating the United States 67-65 to capture the country's first-ever gold medal at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Mexico.
The Americans had owned the tournament for the past seven years. Canada hadn't won since Argentina claimed gold in 2008. This year, the Canadians changed that.
Canada swept its three group-stage matches, then demolished Puerto Rico 115-49 in the semifinals to advance to the title game against a favoured U.S. squad. The Americans jumped out to a 19-13 lead in the first quarter, but Canada battled back to tie things 35-35 late in the second quarter on a layup from Settimo Yugu.
The momentum swung back and forth. With about two minutes left in regulation, the U.S. held a 65-62 lead. Then Canada's Deng Ngor knocked down a critical three-pointer to tie it up. Ngor then delivered the game-winning dunk in the final 1:27, and Canada shut out the Americans the rest of the way.
Canada's Javion Tyndale was named tournament MVP and led the team with 19 points in the championship game.
The victory is significant for Canadian basketball development. Winning at the youth level—especially against the U.S.—builds momentum for the senior national programs and signals that the country's talent pipeline is deepening. For Toronto, where basketball culture runs high thanks to the Raptors and years of homegrown talent, it's a win worth celebrating.
It's the kind of upset that reminds you why these tournaments matter.