FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship: The Medal Round

The 2022 edition of the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship had entered its business end and Canada faced an unpredictable path to the end of the knockout stage, with tough and unpredictable opposition on the path ahead of them. They showed in the group that they were in Mexico to win and went fearlessly into the final bracket.

They began the knockout round with a 10-2 run and continued to lead Puerto Rico for the remainder. Huge bench production and greater three-point success saw Canada maintain their lead for the entire forty minutes, with the Puerto Ricans' attempts to keep up in the paint only getting them so far.

Led by Jordann Dumont with 16 points off the bench, Canada coasted through to the semi finals with victory over Puerto Rico 86-78. They would be facing familiar opponents in Brazil, whom they had already defeated in the group stage, but showed no mercy after breezing past the Dominican Republic by fourteen in the quarter finals.

Canada capitalised against Brazil's slow start and propelled themselves in front in the low post, lead of 23 by half time. This momentum would not last long however and Brazil quickly made up the difference and the game far tighter in the final quarter.

No more than four points stood between the teams in the final period, Vasean Allette helped Canada hold on to the lead but the Brazilian three-point shooters soon had turned the game back in their favour. Allette struck again and tied the scores in the final minute, but two from the stripe from Gabriel Caldeira Oliveira would be the push Brazil needed to edge out a win.

Allette finished with a team-high 22, and Michael Nwoko had 15 along with 13 rebounds, but that would be small consolation as Canada's hopes at the gold medal faded. They could still bring home bronze, which they would have to battle Argentina for, before the USA made short work of Brazil in the final.

Canada began the game in control but after giving up the first eight points of the game Argentina found their scoring rhythm, putting up twelve points without reply. They went on to lead for much of the second quarter until late pressure in the low post returned the lead to Canada.

Finding more open looks from beyond the arc in the second half Canada built more on their advantage and in the final period they had complete control, outscoring Argentina 23 points to 9, comfortably coasting home to the win. Led 20 from both Michael Nwoko and Vasean Allette, who also put up 10 rebounds, with another double-double from Elijah Fisher, Canada win the tournament bronze medal with a final win over Argentina 81-57.

See more about this tournament over on the tournament's official website.