Ribeirao Preto, Brazil - July 19-23, 2000

After downing its first four opponents en route to the gold medal game, the USA fell to Argentina 92-77 and earned the silver medal at the 2000 COPABA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Tournament in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.

2000 USA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team 2000 USA RESULTS (4-1) USA 122 Uruguay 73 USA 105 Panama 81 USA 83 Argentina 78 USA 96 Brazil 91 Argentina 92 USA 77 2000 COMPETITION FINAL STANDINGS 1. *Argentina (4-1) 5. Canada (2-3) 2. *USA (4-1) 6. Puerto Rico (2-3) 3. *Dom. Rep. (4-1) 7. Panama (2-3) 4. Brazil (2-3) 8. Uruguay (0-5) * Qualified for the 2001 FIBA World Championship For Young Men.

The USA collegians opened tournament play on July 19 and behind a balanced scoring attack that saw every available U.S. member score, including seven in double digits, the U.S. recorded a 122-73 victory over Uruguay. Jason Williams paced the USA's offense with 19 points, while Nick Collison added a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

With the help of 15 second half points from Drew Gooden that came in a six-minute span, the U.S. finished strong and posted a 105-81 win over Panama on July 20. Williams finished with 21 points to pace the USA's scoring, while Gooden finished with 17 points, Jason Richardson added 16, and Mike Dunleavy and Kenny Satterfield each notched 11 points.

Thanks to three-point plays by Richardson and Satterfield in the final minute, the U.S. came-from-behind to edge Argentina 83-78 on July 21. The win advanced the U.S. to the semifinals and improved its record to 3-0. The U.S. trailed much of the game and with Argentina leading 78-75, Richardson drained a 3-pointer with one minute remaining, then following an Argentina turnover, Satterfield was fouled while driving to the basket and converted his free throw to complete the three-point play and put the USA on top, 81-78, with 21.6 seconds to go. Argentina missed a desperation three and Richardson scored two with 8.6 seconds remaining as the USA came away with the 83-78 win. Richardson led the U.S. with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Williams was the only other U.S. scorer in double digits with 17 points.

Behind Williams' team-high 27 points, the USA held off host Brazil 96-91 on July 22 to advance to the gold medal contest. The win assured the U.S. of a berth in the 2001 FIBA World Championship For Young Men. Brazil was within three points, 93-90, with 23.9 seconds to go, however, the USA iced the contest when Williams made one of two free throws and Satterfield converted on two free throws to give the USA the victory.

Despite 17 points from Williams, Argentina handed the U.S. a 92-77 defeat in the gold medal game. Argentina opened the second half with a 9-3 run to take an eight point lead, 50-42, with 14:36 to go. With 2:22 to go, Richardson knocked down a three to cut the gap to seven, 81-74. However, Argentina answered with a 3-pointer of its own at 1:59 and after a U.S. miss, Argentina sank two free throws to take a 86-74 lead with 1:15 to go and end all comeback hopes. In addition to Williams' team-high 17 points, Zach Randolph and Richardson each scored 12 and Brian Cook pitched in 11 points.

Williams led the U.S. squad and ranked fourth in the tournament in scoring, averaging 20.2 ppg., and led all competitors in assists with 29. Richardson ranked eighth among tournament leadersm at 15.6 ppg., and Randolph ranked 17th for scoring averaging 11.6 ppg. Collison led the USA in rebounding and ranked fourth in the tournament averaging 7.2 rpg., and also led the U.S. for blocked shots with seven, which ranked tied for sixth among all competitors.

2000 USA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team Cumulative Statistics

NOTE: The FIBA U21 World Championship was originally the FIBA 22 and Under World Championship and designed for men 22-years-old or younger. FIBA lowered the age eligibility to 21-years-old or younger in December 1998 and changed the competition name to the World Championship for Young Men. In 2004 the name changed again to the FIBA U21 World Championship and the qualifying tournament was also renamed to the FIBA Americas U20 Championship.