June 3-7, 2019 • Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

The USA earned a 7-0 record and gold medal at the FIBA 3X3 Men’s U18 World Cup from June 3-7 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The team made history, becoming the first USA 3x3 U18 men’s team to capture a FIBA 3X3 U18 World Cup title. Additionally, the USA 3x3 U18 women also won gold in 2019, marking the first time the same nation swept the men’s and women’s World Cup U18 titles.

The USA men’s 3x3 U18 World Cup Team featured Devin Askew (Mater Dei H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.), Nimari Burnett (Prolific Prep/Chicago, Ill.), Dawson Garcia (Prior Lake H.S./Prior Lake, Minn.) and Ethan Morton (Butler H.S./Butler, Pa.). The four athletes were selected after taking part in the 2019 USA 3x3 U18 National Championship that was played April 13-14. Kara Lawson served as the team advisor. 

Opening play on June 3 versus No. 3 overall seed Latvia, the Americans proved too much taking a decisive 21-13 victory. Garcia headed the U.S. scoring attack with nine points, Morton contributed six, Burnett had four points and Askew added two points.

Matched against Georgia in its second game, the USA’defense that shined. Georgia struggled to put points on the board against the USA. Although Georgia scored first in the game, behind five points from Garcia the USA reeled off 10-straight points to take charge 10-1 with 6:57 in the game. Georgia closed the gap to 14-8, but behind four points from Burnett, the U.S. rolled in for the 21-9 victory with 2:32 remaining on the clock. Garcia finished with eight points, Askew tossed in seven and Burnett added six points.

In its 21-14 win over Belarus on June 6, Garcia had eight points, Burnett contributed seven and Morton added five points.

Against host Mongolia in front of a packed crowd, the USA was in control for most of its 21-10 win. After leading 6-1 early in the game, Mongolia came within four points, 13-9, at the midway point, but the USA gave up just one more score by Mongolia from there and reached 21 points with 38.0 seconds left on the game clock. Askew and Garcia each had eight points.

Facing Italy in the quarterfinals game, the Americans withstood a one-man scoring effort by Italy’s Matteo Italo Picarelli and battled its way to a 19-12 win. While Italy would rely on Picarelli, who finished with 11 of Italy’s 12 points, the USA’s balanced effort proved the difference. Burnett topped the USA’s scoring effort with 10 points, while Askew was credited with four points, Morton three points and Garcia two points. The USA owned a 9-8 advantage with 4:05 to play, and Burnett and Morton scored to up the USA lead to 11-8. Picarelli connected on a 2-pointer to cut the lead to 11-10, but Burnett scored twice and Garcia add a point as the USA upped its lead to 14-10 with 1:24 to play. Leading 15-11, Burnett helped seal the victory the USA’s final four points of the 19-12 win.

In an extremely physical semifinal game, the USA and Russia battled toe-to-toe. Falling behind 7-4, the U.S., behind two baskets from Burnett, tied the game 7-7 with 5:45 to play. Russia held an 11-9 lead with 3:58 to go, but after three points from Burnett and a score inside by Garcia, the USA took the lead for the first time in the game, 13-11. The two teams exchanged scores down the stretch, and after a basket by Garcia the Americas led 16-15 with 35 seconds to play. Following a block by Garcia, Russia retained possession after the ball rolled out of bounds with 7.5 seconds left in regulation. Russia forced overtime with 2.3 seconds to play after Danila Chikarev scored on a drive. In overtime, where the first team to score two points wins, Russia struck first to take a 17-16 lead, but Burnett scored to even the game. Following a crucial stop by the USA, Garcia scored the game winner on a short, pull-up, baseline jumper. Garcia topped the USA scoring with seven points, Burnett added six, Askew tossed in four points and Morton scored one.

Against Turkey in the gold medal game, the USA rallied after Turkey jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The USA got on the scoreboard thanks to a Garcia basket at 7:47. Scoring six-straight points, with four coming from Garcia, the USA led 6-4 with 6:21 to play. Turkey battled back and led 8-7, 9-8 and 10-9. The turning point came with 1:52 to play, when Burnett connected on a 2-point shot and was fouled. Making the free throw, Burnett’s three-point play pushed the U.S. ahead 12-10. Turkey cut the gap to 12-11, but Garcia was fouled, and with Turkey over the foul limit, Garcia made his two free throw to increase the USA advantage to 14-11 with 1:21 to play. Turkey scored to make the score 14-12, but Askew scored, and fittingly Garcia scored the USA’s final points to seal the 16-12 win.

2019 USA MEN'S 3x3 U18 WORLD CUP TEAM ROSTER

2019 FIBA MEN'S 3x3 U18 WORLD CUP SKILLS CONTESTS MEDALISTS