The U.S. men’s basketball team took a significant stride towards qualifying for the 2025 AmeriCup tournament with a commanding 108-66 victory over Puerto Rico in Washington on Friday night. The Americans, making their debut under new qualifying team coach Stephen Silas, rode a massive advantage from beyond the arc to secure the impressive win.
Leading the charge for the U.S. was Javonte Smart, who poured in a game-high 20 points, and Jahmi’us Ramsey, who added 18 of his own. The dynamic duo spearheaded a blistering offensive attack that saw the Americans outscore Puerto Rico by a staggering 51-6 margin on 3-pointers.
Complementing Smart and Ramsey’s efforts were strong performances from Robert Covington, who chipped in 16 points, and Frank Kaminsky III, who contributed 10. The U.S. shot a sizzling 56% from the field and an impressive 46% from long range, showcasing their offensive firepower throughout the contest.
Stockton’s Record-Setting Night
While the scoring exploits of Smart and Ramsey stole the spotlight, it was David Stockton who quietly made history on Friday night. The veteran guard, son of NBA legend John Stockton, dished out 10 assists in his record-breaking 11th tournament qualifying game for USA Basketball.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent my country and to be able to do it for so many games,” Stockton said after the win. “I’m just happy I could contribute to the team’s success tonight and help us take another step towards the AmeriCup.”
Stockton’s leadership and experience have been invaluable to the U.S. squad, providing a steady hand as they navigate the qualifying process.
Puerto Rico Struggles to Keep Pace
For Puerto Rico, it was a tough night on both ends of the floor. They struggled to contain the potent U.S. attack, while also finding it difficult to generate consistent offense of their own. Phillip Wheeler led the way for Puerto Rico with 12 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep his team competitive.
Puerto Rico shot just 37% from the field, a far cry from the efficient output of their American counterparts. The lopsided nature of the game was evident from the early going, as the U.S. raced out to a commanding lead and never looked back.
Looking Ahead to Bahamas and Beyond
With the win, the U.S. moved into a tie atop Group D with Cuba at 2-1. The Americans will now turn their attention to Monday’s matchup with the Bahamas, as they look to further solidify their position in the qualifying standings.
Following the Bahamas game, the U.S. will wrap up their qualifying campaign with two more contests in February. A strong finish in these remaining games would put them in prime position to secure a spot in the 2025 AmeriCup tournament in Nicaragua.
The Road to Nicaragua
The AmeriCup, which serves as the championship for the FIBA Americas region, is a prestigious event that brings together the best teams from across the Americas. Qualifying for the tournament is a rigorous process, with teams divided into four groups of four and playing a series of games to determine who advances.
For the U.S., the road to Nicaragua and the 2025 AmeriCup is well underway. With a mix of young talent and experienced veterans, they appear poised to make a strong push for a spot in the tournament. Friday night’s dominant win over Puerto Rico served as a statement of intent, showcasing the team’s potential and their determination to represent their country on the international stage.
The Importance of Qualifying Success
Qualifying for major tournaments like the AmeriCup is about more than just national pride. It’s also an opportunity for players to showcase their talents on a global stage, potentially catching the eye of professional scouts and opening doors to new opportunities in their careers.
For coaches like Stephen Silas, who is in his first stint at the helm of the U.S. qualifying team, success in these tournaments can be a springboard to bigger and better things. A strong showing in the AmeriCup qualifying process could help Silas make a name for himself in international coaching circles.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved,” Silas said. “For the players, the coaches, and the entire USA Basketball organization. We’re focused on taking things one game at a time and putting ourselves in the best position to qualify for the AmeriCup.”
As the U.S. continues its quest for an AmeriCup berth, fans across the country will be watching with bated breath. With performances like the one they put on against Puerto Rico on Friday night, there’s reason to be optimistic about their chances of making some noise in Nicaragua next year.
But for now, the focus remains on the task at hand – taking care of business in the remaining qualifying games and ensuring that the stars and stripes will be flying high at the 2025 AmeriCup.
