Saitama, Japan - August 3-12, 2001

The U.S. performance was dominating and a majority of the USA event and game records fell. As a team, 10 of 14 single game marks for the USA team fell and 14 of 16 USA team records for the competition were rewritten. Individually, eight of 14 single game records were improved on and seven of the eight competition records were bettered.

The gold medal effort was a true team effort in every sense. The USA offensive attack which saw the U.S. average a high octane 101.9 points a game, featured four players scoring in double figures and no less than nine averaging 7.0 points a game or more. Carlos Boozer led the USA's scoring, setting a team record for most points scored in the event after accounting for 127 points for a 15.9 ppg. Troy Bell and Chris Duhon each averaged 11.9 points, while Caron Butler averaged 10.6 ppg. Boozer also led the Americans on the glass, averaging 8.0 rpg., with Collison added 5.4 rpg. and Evans grabbed 5.0 rpg. The team's unselfish play was underscored by the fact that of its 300 made field goals, 201 were assisted. Duhon led the team averaging 6.8 assists, while Nelson, 4.0 apg., Bell, 3.1 apg., and Taylor, 2.8 apg., were strong in the U.S. passing game as well.

Led by 19 points from Duhon, the USA opened preliminary play on Aug. 3 with an impressive 88-69 victory over Croatia. The following day multiple USA team and individual single game records tumbled as the United States posted a lopsided 128-73 victory over South Korea as Evans scored 20 points. Playing its third game in as many days, the Duke University duo of Boozer and Duhon scored 18 and 17 points respectively to lead the USA to an 84-71 win over previously unbeaten Argentina. Taking full advantage of its inside might, the USA pounded Japan 123-87 as Butler, Evans, Boozer and Collison combined for 60 points and 39 rebounds. Butler and Evans led the attack scoring 17 points apiece and Boozer added 16. Wrapping up preliminary play, Butler scored eight of his game high 21 points during a USA 22-0 third quarter scoring spree as the U.S. improved to 5-0 after handing previously unbeaten Israel a decisive 98-73 loss on Sept. 9. The win secured the No. 1 seed in Group B for the Americans forthe quarterfinals round.

Meeting 2000 European champ Slovenia in the quarterfinals, the U.S. played impressively from start ot finish as Duhon and Evans scored 17 points apiece to pace the USA to the 110-83 victory.

Moving on to a rematch with Argentina in the semifinals, the United States fought its way into the gold medal game with a 95-90 victory behind a USA single game record 29 points and nine rebounds by Boozer. With the U.S. leading 91-82 with 1:26 to play, Argentina rallied to within a point, 91-90, with 32 seconds left. But Boozer grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw, was fouled and sank both free throws to end the Argentina comeback.

Losing by as many as 14 points in the second quarter and down 47-42 at half, behind the shooting of its guards the U.S. rallied in the third quarter to regain control and went on to take an 89-80 victory. The backcourt of Bell and Duhon combined to make 11 3-point shots and score 43 points. Bell made a USA single game record six 3-pointers on nine attempts and finished with a team best 24 points, while Duhon made five-of-12 3-pointers (the 12 attempts also set a USA game mark), and was credited with 19 points and a USA game record 14 assists.

2001 USA World Championship for Young Men Team Roster

2001 USA World Championship for Young Men Cumulative Statistics