Novi Sad, Serbia • July 12-22, 2007

Led by DePaul University head coach Jerry Wainwright, the 2007 USA Men's U19 World Championship Team, despite being considered underdogs by the U.S. media, traveled to Novi Sad, Serbia, in hopes of ending the USA's gold medal drought at the U19 Worlds. While the squad didn't achieve its goal, the American men played like a team should - proud, together and in sync - and came away with the silver medal and an 8-1 mark.

En route to their No. 2 placing among the world's top 19-and-under national teams, the USA twiced downed pre-tournament gold medal favorite France and also defeated eventual gold medalist Serbia in preliminary round play.

DeAndre Jordan led seven teammates in double digits for the U.S. in a 118-56 opening win over Mali on July 12. Michael Beasley's 21 points and seven rebounds highlighted a 103-77 victory against China on July 13, before Stephen Curry's 21 points and late 3-pointer aided the Americans to an 82-78 triumph in the first match against the Serbians on July 14.

Advancing to the second round, David Lighty and Deon Thompson combined for 36 points in a 90-81 win over Lithuania on July 16.

Beasley scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 104-65 blowout against Brazil on July 17. Jonny Flynn helped keep the U.S. perfect through six games, scoring 18 points and nabbing five steals in an 87-82 French defeat to close out second round play on July 18.

Led by Patrick Beverly's game-high 20 points, the team put away South American rival Argentina 112-86 in quarterfinal action to set up a semifinal rematch with France.

Thompson powered the USA with 18 points and 13 rebounds and converted on two consecutive putbacks when his team trailed in the waning minutes of its semifinal against France, as Curry's jumper with just under 90 seconds to play gave the red, white and blue its 78-75 winning margin and a berth in the gold-medal game.

Despite a fight to the end, the USA could not overcome a 19-point first-half deficit and the host Serbians in the title game, instead claiming the silver medal by a 74-69 margin. The USA's 8-1 mark tied Serbia overall and was two wins better than bronze medalist France, which finished with a 6-3 slate.

For the second straight night, Thompson headed the U.S. scoring with 16 points and formed a trio of scorers with Beverley (15) and Morgan (10) in double figures. Thirteen missed free throws were too much to overcome, however, and the U.S. squad walked away with the silver medal.

France took bronze with a 75-67 win over Brazil.

2007 USA MEN'S U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM  ROSTER

2007 USA MEN'S U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS