USA Women’s National Team: 2020 prospect Paige Bueckers sets U16 shooting record

The USA women’s national team has rolled through its first few games of the U16 FIBA Americas championship and a big reason is the play of Paige Bueckers.

Paige Bueckers, who is on ESPN HoopGurlz watch list for 2020,  is a major reason why the USWNT U16 team has easily handled its first two opponents in the FIBA Americas championship. Bueckers set a USA women’s U16 single-game record for field goal percentage in the win over Mexico on Thursday.

The U.S. (2-0) improved to 4-0 in the competition all-time against Mexico (1-1) with its 100-37 on June 8. The game marked the first time the Americans have topped the century mark since 2013.

HoopGurlz No. 1 2019 prospect Sam Brunelle led the way with 18 points and 11 boards for the U.S. Bueckers contributed 15 points as she made all seven of her shots. She is the fourth player in USWNT U16 to shoot 100% from the field in a game, but her seven field goals are the most while doing so. Ariel Massengale, Mercedes Russell, and Jordan Adams also have made all their shots in a U16 game. However, none of those three players attempted more than four shots in the game.

Bueckers is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.5 points a game through two games. The 5’11” guard has handed out seven dimes and has yet to turn over the ball. She also leads the squad with eight steals.

Fran Belibi added 12 points and seven rebounds for the red, white, and blue against Mexico. Zia Cooke also scored in double figures with 11 points while  Aliyah Boston hauled in 10 boards. Jordan Horston and Cook each doled out four assists.

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The USA will continue preliminary play against Puerto Rico (0-2) at 5:15 p.m. (EDT). Game can be seen live on Youtube.com/FIBA. The U.S. and Canada (2-0) have already secured a spot in the semifinals. The semifinals will take place on June 10 and the finals are slated to be held on June 11.