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USA Basketball: Nine players score in double figures as the USMNT U16 advances to FIBA Americas Championship Semis

By Daniel Benjamin

Apr 30, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Teams compete at Grand Park Fieldhouse in the Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Teams compete at Grand Park Fieldhouse in the Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League). Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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After defeating Mexico, the US Men’s National Team U16 squad is in the FIBA Americas Championship semifinals for a fifth consecutive tournament.

The US Men’s National Team U16 squad routed Mexico 127-52 on Friday, falling just three points of tying the FIBA Americas Championship record for the most points in a game. The 2013 USA and 2011 Argentina teams currently share the scoring record with 130 points.

With the victory, the U.S. improved to 3-0 during the 2017 Championships. The Americans have now won for the 23rd time in the tournament and reached their fifth straight semifinal.

2021 class member Zion Harmon led nine U.S. players in double figures with 17 points. De’Vion Harmon added 15 points while Romeo Weeks, registered his first double-double with 12 points along with 11 boards. Vern Carey and Jeremy Roach tallied 14 and 13 points, respectively. In the meantime, James Wiseman and Isaiah Todd added 12 points apiece. Scottie Barnes and Wendell Moore were the other players to score in double digits for the winners.

“I think our team is tough to beat, because other teams have five people who can play,” said Weems. “When we’re making subs, we’ve got fresh legs and just keep running and running until they’re tired. When they get tired, we just keep getting fresher and fresher.”

USA shot 59.5% from the floor for the game. The red, white, and blue also out-rebounded the Mexicans (0-3) by 14 and outscored them by an incredible 78-24 points in the paint. Additionally, they limited the Mexicans to 33.9% shooting from the floor.

The U.S. ranks first or second in most of the Championship’s statistics. The Americans are the highest scoring team in the tournament, averaging over 110 points a game. USA will play Argentina (2-1) in the second semifinal of the competition on June 17.

The U.S. is 6-0 all-time against Argentina  (2-1). Three of those wins came in the gold medal game from 2009-2013. Team USA, which is has at least 94 points in each of the meetings between the teams, defeated the Argentinians 119-76 in the 2015 semifinals.

Canada (3-0), the winner of Group A, will meet in the Puerto Rico (2-1) in the other semifinal.

Next: Hamidou Diallo among current college players trying out for U19 World Cup team

All the games are available on YouTube.

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