Team USA Falls Short in 2026 FIBA U18 AmeriCup Final

A Molten basketball featuring the FIBA emblem was prominent during a Polish Men's Basketball Cup quarterfinal clash on February 19, 2026, at Arena Sosnowiec ArcelorMittal Park, where AMW Arka Gdynia faced Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Jasiah Jervis and Ethan Taylor, both Spartan basketball recruits, earned spots on the Team USA roster for the 2026 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup, which took place in Leon, Mexico from June 1-7. The American squad concluded the tournament with a silver medal after a narrow defeat to Canada, losing 67-65 in the championship game.

The AmeriCup featured eight teams from across North and South America and the Caribbean, split into two groups. Team USA was comprised of talented players from the classes of 2026 and 2027, under the guidance of head coach Anthony Grant from Dayton, with assistance from Nate Oats of Alabama and Matthew Langel from Colgate.

In the preliminary round, Team USA dominated their opponents, finishing with a flawless 3-0 record. The tournament began on June 1, with the Americans securing a convincing 30-point victory over Argentina. The next day, they overwhelmed Mexico, achieving a staggering 107-50 win. Their group stage concluded with a tougher challenge, but they managed to defeat Brazil 84-62 after a close first half.

During these matches, Taylor was a consistent starter, while Jervis contributed off the bench. Despite some shooting difficulties, the pair made significant defensive contributions, with Taylor averaging two blocks per game and Jervis showcasing ball security with no turnovers against Mexico. Davion Thompson emerged as a key player for Team USA, averaging 12.3 points per game in the group stage, while several others also made notable contributions.

After advancing to the semi-finals with a bye, the Americans faced Brazil again, defeating them decisively before setting up a gold medal showdown with Canada. Despite a strong start in the final, Team USA ultimately fell short, underscoring the fierce competition in youth basketball on the international stage.