Malaga, Spain • July 2 - 10, 2022

The U.S. entered the 2022 FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup in Malaga, Spain, with much to lose.

Dating back to the tournament’s inception in 2010, the Americans were 37-0 and won five-straight gold medals, so expectations were high for the 2022 squad. Amongst it all, the U.S. came out with an 7-0 record and a gold medal. 

The team was guided by head coach Sharman White, who joined Don Showalter as the only two coaches to lead a U17 World Cup team. The team was poised on the defensive side of the ball, holding their opponents to an average of 60.0 points per game on 32.5% shooting.

The USA opened the tournament with a resounding win over Lebanon, 120-44. David Castillo led the team in scoring, finishing with 21 points (8-11 FG). In holding their opponent to just 44 points, the U.S. recorded 24 steals and 12 blocks, both event highs in their respective categories. The team also shot 50% (50-100 FG) from the field. Cooper Flagg finished with 13 rebounds and four blocks, his first game with 10-plus rebounds and three-plus blocks.

Game two against Slovenia was close to start, but the U.S. was able to turn a one-point deficit (20-21) mid-way through the second quarter into a 16-point advantage at half (40-24). The U.S. would go on to win, 88-55. Ron Holland led the Americans in scoring with 14 points.

Against Mali, the USA would capture the victory, 112-64. Ian Jackson put together a stellar performance scoring 26 points (11-14 FG), the most by an American during the tournament and third most by a U.S. player since 2010. Additionally, Holland finished with 14 points while Sean Stewart recorded 13 points and eight rebounds.

With a 3-0 record through group play, the U.S. were slated as the top seed entering single-elimination games and matched up with Egypt in the Round of 16. The U.S. jumped out to an early 9-0 lead and never looked back, eventually winning the game, 103-48. Karter Knox led the charge, tallying 18 points and nine rebounds. The team would finish with 68 rebounds, the most ever by a U.S. squad at the event.

The USA would advance to a quarterfinal matchup with Serbia, who would lead through the first seven minutes of competition before an Asa Newell 3-pointer gave the U.S. their first lead, 20-18, with just over two minutes remaining in the opening frame. The U.S. would win, 106-80, and shoot a record-setting 12-of-24 from three, marking the most threes made by an American U17 World Cup team.

In the semifinals, the U.S. defeated Lithuania, 89-62. The U.S. defense was stout to start the game, holding Lithuania to just seven points in the first quarter. Jeremy Fears Jr. led the USA in scoring with 18 points, while Holland led the team in assists (6) and rebounds (10).

The gold medal game saw the U.S. match up against Spain. In a tightly contested contest, the Americans trailed until the 2:39 mark of the third quarter, where they were able to turn the tide and take an 11-point lead into the final frame (62-51). From there, the U.S. held on to capture their sixth consecutive gold medal with a 79-67 win. Fears Jr. led the Americans in scoring again, finishing with 17 points.

Flagg’s elite play came to a head in the final, where he recorded 10 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, eight steals and four blocks to set multiple U17 World Cup records. His 17 rebounds set a new mark for most rebounds in a game by an American at a World Cup, while his eight steals tied the most by any player.

Flagg and Koa Peat were the Americans named to the All-Star Five. The duo was joined by France’s Ilane Fibleuil and Spanish teammates Lucas Langarita and Izan Almansa. Almansa was named the tournament MVP.

In the bronze medal game, France defeated Lithuania (66-58). 

2022 USA Men's U17 World Championship Team Roster

2022 USA Men's U17 World Championship Cumulative Statistics