The FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup has produced some remarkable performances, culminating in a stunning display of basketball talent from North America and Colombia.
On Friday, the United States, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico all secured their spots for the upcoming FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, set to take place in the Czech Republic.
The victory in the Quarter-Finals not only propelled these teams into the Semi-Finals, but also marked a new milestone for each squad.
The defending champions, USA, showcased their dominance with a decisive win over Panama, finishing the game with a jaw-dropping score of 131 to 12.
This victory is notable for several reasons, including setting new tournament records for the largest margin of victory at 119 points and most points scored in a single quarter with 48 points in the first.
Additionally, the USA team recorded 39 assists, the most in the tournament’s history, and tied for the record of field goals made in a single game at 55.
The offensive performance was led by Ivanna Wilson, who scored 26 points and had 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and a remarkable efficiency rating of 33.
Jordyn Haywood also shone, contributing 20 points, including four three-pointers, while Panama struggled offensively, managing only 4 field goals out of 38 attempts—marking the lowest shooting percentage recorded in the competition.
Meanwhile, Canada joined the USA in securing their spot at the U17 World Cup for an eighth time by defeating Puerto Rico with a final score of 72 to 47.
The Canadians maintained control throughout the game, leading from the outset and dominating in virtually every statistical category.
Pippa Gibb led the scoring for Canada, finishing with 14 points, along with 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Frances Vollet, Avery Arije, and Gabrielle Fajemirokun also contributed significantly, with 12, 11, and 10 points respectively.
Puerto Rico’s Valeria Medina was the standout player for her team, finishing with 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to carry them past the Canadian defense as they now head to the classification round.
Colombia made headlines by clinching their place at the U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup for the first time in eight years, defeating Argentina 44 to 39.
The game featured a struggling offensive first half for both teams, but Colombia found their rhythm in the second half, pulling away with effective scoring and solid defense.
Alisson Restrepo emerged as Colombia’s top scorer with 10 points, while Shery Montaño provided essential support, contributing 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
On the other hand, Argentina, after participating in the last three U17 World Cups, now faces the disappointment of missing this edition, with Florencia Losada posting an impressive 12 points, 8 rebounds, 8 steals, and 3 assists in a losing effort.
In the final Quarter-Final matchup, Mexico drew significant support from their home crowd to overcome Venezuela, with a final score of 69 to 44.
After a rocky start, Mexico turned the tide with remarkable runs, including a dominant 19-0 scoring streak to end the first half.
They capitalized on their momentum with a further 13-0 run in the third quarter, effectively sealing their victory and ensuring their participation in the U17 World Cup for the fifth time.
Isamar Rumbo led the Mexican team with a strong performance, scoring 19 points and gathering 13 rebounds.
Despite the loss, Venezuela’s Albanys Ramírez made her mark on the game with 15 points and 6 rebounds, as the team continues to pursue its first qualification to the prestigious tournament.
As the teams move into the Semi-Finals, fans can expect an exciting matchup between the USA and the host nation, Mexico, while Canada takes on Colombia in the other game.
The classification round sees Argentina face Puerto Rico and Panama go up against Venezuela, giving each team a chance to end their tournament on a high note.
With the Semi-Finals set to be played on Saturday, June 21, the competition promises to be fierce, as these young athletes vie for glory and a chance to represent their countries on the world stage.
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