Breaking Down the FIBA U16 Americas Championship
June 9, 2023 by Max Feldman
The FIBA U16 Americas Championship is set to tip shortly at the Poliforum Zamná in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Here, I'll thread in takeaways as the week unfolds.
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USA
- USAB U16 enters Americas play with all-time record of 37-0. Late last week I broke down the roster, and there's no reason to believe their dominance will change.
Versus Puerto Rico
- After USAB sputtered out of the gates when being forced to rely on the three, the insertion of Tyran Stokes and Jayden Quaintance changed the flow of the game. Activity, versatility and physical forces in the frontcourt leading to a 12 to 1 run.
- In a game where USA has really struggled to find a consistent groove, AJ Dybantsa has generated easy offense with his energy. Getting out in transition all game long, playing with more control and getting all the way to the rim to finish in the second half.
- Helter skelter game, but think USA has been at it's best with Tyran Stokes on the floor even if the box score doesn't show it. Providing connective value in the frontcourt, running in transition, making timely rotations defensively and rebounding it well. 2026's no. 2 overall prospect changed the game with his playmaking. Staff rolled through a wide range of lineups throughout, but think it'll be tough to keep Stokes off the floor moving forward.
- Isiah Harwell's decisiveness, defensive versatility and instincts in rotation proved highly useful. Played just over 10 minutes, but think that'll rise in coming games. Fits in well and has the microskills to bring value in an ancillary role.
Versus Argentina
- New game, but largely the same story. Inefficiency from deep and the primary source of offense coming from ball pressure turning to transition opportunities.
- Similarly, it’s been primarily AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes as the key cogs. Both leading the break and making timely connective passes leading to easy looks. The versatility of 2026’s top two prospects has been the USA’s best asset thus far.
- Jalen Montonati has provided a nice boost with his shot-making ability, adding 8 PTS in the first half. Outlined it in the roster breakdown heading in, but his reliability as a floor-spacer is going to make him tough to keep off the floor. Drawing hard closeouts and shooting it over the top of defenders.
- He’s played limited minutes thus far, but been impressed by the micro skills of top-5 2026 Brandon McCoy Jr. Plays extremely hard, heady and has been highly impactful as a point of attack defender in his minutes.
Versus Uruguay
- Fast start for the USA here, pounding the paint and getting to the rim at will.
- Cam Boozer with some loud sequences through the opening stretch. Finishing up everything around the rim and putting a lid on the rim.
- More slashing dominance from Koa Peat, posing mismatch problems and attack with cup with tenacity. 12 points with 2 minutes left in the first quarter, all of which coming at the rim.
Canada
Versus Dominican Republic
- 2026 G Kamai Samuels is getting right to it for Canada. Counters off the dribble, point of attack defense and generating paint touches. Looks to be Canada's most prolific pressure point. Been a menace on the defensive end, has fantastic instincts and applying pressure without fouling. High level ingredients as a point of attack defender.
- Godson Okokoh is hard to miss early on at 6-6 with fluid movement skills and soft hands. Showing off a good-looking catch and shoot stroke, interior passing chops and energy across the board. Just 14 years old.
- Took a few minutes to find his footing, but 2027 F Paul Osaruyi has been exceptional defensively and on the glass. Finishing around the rim as a roll man and looking down the paint as a shot blocker.
- It hasn't been the most efficient outing, but like the shooting makeup of Quintin Ethier. Smooth energy transfer, good feel off the ball and mature shot prep.
Puerto Rico
Versus USA
- Felipe Quinones sparked a big start to the game, knocking down two three's. One of the lone PUR players not overly sped up early on. Carrying the weight offensively and hunting his shot more aggressively than any setting stateside. Put together a solid first half as a scorer and distributor, tallying 14 points and 2 AST (5 TO). Still adding strength and finding his way as a finisher, but been a highly impressive showing. 6-4 G with a smooth spot up stroke, creativity attacking closeouts and real passing chops.
- Vincent Stewart has given the US trouble early on as a finisher around the rim. Against a team looking to get out and run the other way, the well-built 6-9 big has gotten bigs in the air to open space in deep.
Brazil
Versus Uruguay
- No surprises here, Pat Otey is off to a big start. Quick decisions off the catch, creating space, playing within himself and scoring at all three levels. Nothing flashy, just getting to his spots, playing in traffic and absorbing contact to get to the line. There's a straightforwardness to his approach as a scorer has become a real calling card. The Massachusetts native is 3rd in EYBL E15 scoring with just over 18 PPG.
- Like the makeup of Nolan Kemm. Twitchy 15-year-old athlete with impressive screen navigation and lateral quickness. Strung together some dynamic moments in transition early on. Loaded with burst, but also has popped with his ability to decelerate and finish around the rim. Shooting is in the early stages, but still getting downhill with regularity.
- Story of the second quarter was Pedro Fernandez. High feel 6-4 shot-maker with strong instincts attacking closeouts.
- As this one got away, there's been some good moments from Isaiah Santos as a spot up shooter and energetic wing. The versatile, physical 14-year-old had a productive spring with Houston Hoops.
Versus Canada
- Another strong underway for Pedro Fernandez. Found his groove quickly from beyond the arc and has a nice feel for finding slight pockets of space to get his shot off in the half-court. Loaded with confidence.
Dominican Republic
Versus Canada
- Eugri German and Richard Fernandez came out with their hair on fire. Shifty movement skills and soft touch from German, scoring from beyond the arc and on runners. Fernandez is a plus athlete, loaded with energy and slashing feel.
- Been a strong one for Lucas Morillo. Skilled 6-7 stretch forward with soft touch, he's getting to his spots off the ball and converting. Showing some juice as a mismatch creator as well. Taken advantage of Canada's lack of true playmaking, picking passing lanes and crashing onto guards with impressive timing.
- German's ball pressure has been disruptive early on against a group lacking a ton of ball handlers.
Uruguay
Versus Brazil
- Ways to go developmentally, but like the natural versatility of Valentin Curbelo. Fluid handler with counters to get downhill and intriguing pace in the pick & roll at 6-6.
Argentina
Versus Mexico
- Ohio native Tyler Kropp’s activity level and skill level popping for Argentina. 6-8 16-year-old has been all over the glass and finished well inside. In what’s been a muddied up game, his activity level has been instrumental. 21 PTS, 16 REB and 6 stocks.
- Felipe Minzer is one I’ll be keeping tabs on. Just 15, but showing a very impressive foundation of skill and feel.
- Tomas Scola, the son of Luis Scola, with some strong moments early on. Strong 6-7 F with soft hands and a sturdy base.
Mexico
Versus Argentina
- Very easy to see the intrigue with Karim Lopez. Doesn’t move like most 6-8 16-year-old’s, grabbing off the glass and immediately sparking offense going the other way. Creative attacking off the bounce and has shown glimpses as a versatile pass, dribble, shoot wing. Feel for the game and overall floor game given his size and age are highly intriguing.