Team USA’s U19 Men’s Basketball squad recently achieved ultimate victory, capturing the gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland. Completing a flawless tournament run with an undefeated 7-0 record, the Americans decisively defeated Germany in the championship game on Sunday, July 6th, by a score of 109-76. This triumphant performance marked the United States’ record ninth gold medal in the history of the FIBA U19 World Cup, and their first since the 2021 tournament, serving as a powerful redemption after failing to medal in 2023.
The path to gold wasn’t always easy, but Team USA showcased remarkable resilience and depth throughout the competition, winning their games by an impressive average margin of 39 points. This dominant performance highlighted the immense talent pool and strategic execution of the young American stars.
The Championship Showdown
The gold medal game against Germany began with a challenge. Germany jumped out to an early 11-5 advantage about halfway through the opening period. However, the U.S. quickly responded, trading baskets and battling back. By the end of the first quarter, the Americans held a narrow 24-23 lead, fueled by contributions off the bench.
Team USA seized momentum in the second period. They built an eight-point lead with around seven minutes remaining. A powerful and-one turnaround shot capped off a key run. The lead fluctuated slightly before a decisive 12-3 surge pushed the U.S. ahead 52-40 with just over two minutes left before halftime.
Arizona signee Koa Peat, known as the team’s leading rebounder entering the final, aggressively attacked the boards in the first half. He grabbed eight rebounds while also leading the team in scoring with nine points by the intermission. This strong collective effort in the second quarter allowed the United States to take a comfortable 56-47 lead into the locker room. AJ Dybantsa also contributed nine points in the opening half. Incoming Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr., the team’s leading scorer overall in the tournament, added seven first-half points.
The second half began with intensity. Less than two minutes in, Jordan Smith Jr. knocked down a right-wing three-pointer. This shot capped a 10-3 run and gave the U.S. their largest lead at that point, 66-50. The American dominance continued as AJ Dybantsa extended the lead to 20 points with a powerful dunk midway through the third quarter.
The U.S. defense tightened significantly in the third period. They stifled Germany, allowing only 10 points in the quarter. This defensive pressure combined with efficient offense resulted in a dominant 28-10 score in the third frame alone. Heading into the final quarter, key players Koa Peat, AJ Dybantsa, Mikel Brown Jr., Jordan Smith Jr., and Tyran Stokes had all reached double-digit scoring.
Michigan-bound Morez Johnson Jr. took control in the fourth quarter. He scored eight points within the first few minutes. Johnson Jr. finished the game with an impactful double-double, tallying 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. The U.S. maintained their significant advantage, cruising to a decisive 109-76 victory and securing their historic ninth U19 gold medal.
Key Players and Rising Stars
The championship team featured a roster packed with promising talent, many of whom are set to join top college basketball programs. Several players delivered standout performances throughout the tournament and in the final game.
Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr., a McDonald’s All-American and potential 2026 NBA lottery pick, was a catalyst for the U.S. offense. He led the team in both scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game on efficient 46.7% shooting, and assists, dishing out 6.1 dimes per contest. Brown Jr.’s strong play earned him a spot on the tournament’s prestigious All-Star Five.
Kentucky freshman Jasper Johnson played a crucial role with his scoring and shooting efficiency. He averaged 8.0 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 rebounds, hitting 46.3% from the field and an impressive 40.1% from three-point range. Johnson consistently provided a perimeter threat, making multiple threes in four games. He also finished the gold medal game with a team-best +26 plus/minus rating, contributing assists and rebounds despite lower scoring. This added another gold to Johnson’s collection, including the 2024 U19 AmeriCup and Nike Hoop Summit titles.
Duke freshman Nikolas Khamenia was another vital contributor, primarily coming off the bench. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in just over 16 minutes per game before the final. Khamenia notably led the team in plus/minus heading into the championship game with an impressive +23.2 mark. In the final, he added 9 points and 3 rebounds in limited minutes. This U19 gold is Khamenia’s third international gold medal, having previously won at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup (where he was MVP) and the 2024 FIBA Men’s U18 AmeriCup.
Arizona signee Koa Peat demonstrated his versatility and rebounding prowess. He finished the tournament averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His performance in the final, nearly achieving a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds, was crucial. This gold medal is Peat’s fourth with USA Basketball, adding to previous U17 and U16 titles.
Top 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes also made a significant impact. The Louisville native etched his name in the record books during the tournament. He became the first American player in FIBA U19 World Cup history to record a triple-double, achieving the feat against Jordan with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Stokes continued his strong play in the final, contributing 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Morez Johnson Jr., heading to Michigan, was the leading scorer for Team USA in the final with 15 points. His fourth-quarter scoring surge helped secure the victory.
Tournament MVP and All-Stars
BYU signee AJ Dybantsa’s outstanding play throughout the tournament earned him the prestigious title of 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup MVP. His performance was a key factor in Team USA’s success.
In recognition of their exceptional contributions, both AJ Dybantsa and Mikel Brown Jr. were named to the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup All-Star Five, representing the top players of the event.
Behind the Bench: Coach Tommy Lloyd
The team’s success was guided by Head Coach Tommy Lloyd, coach of the Arizona Wildcats. Coach Lloyd’s leadership was instrumental in bringing the U.S. back to the top of the U19 podium after a disappointing finish in 2023. He becomes the second Arizona coach to lead a USA U19 team to gold. Lloyd also recently coached the U18 team to a gold medal in 2024, highlighting his success on the international stage with young talent.
Following the final game, Coach Lloyd expressed immense pride in his players. “I’m just so proud of the guys,” he said. “Incredible effort and they were really consistent over this three-week period. It feels like we just keep getting better.” He added, “It’s one of those things where you’re happy with the result but you wish the process was just starting again with these guys because they’re a special group.”
The 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup victory underscores the continued strength of USA Basketball’s youth development programs and offers an exciting glimpse into the future of college and professional basketball. The talent showcased by this gold medal-winning squad promises bright futures for these rising stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Team USA’s record and how dominant were they in the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup?
Team USA finished the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup with a perfect and undefeated 7-0 record. Their dominance was evident in their winning margins throughout the tournament, averaging an impressive 39 points per victory. This included a decisive 109-76 win over Germany in the gold medal game.
Which players stood out for Team USA and earned individual honors at the U19 World Cup?
Several U.S. players delivered exceptional performances. AJ Dybantsa was named the tournament’s MVP. Dybantsa and Mikel Brown Jr. were both selected to the All-Star Five. Tyran Stokes made history by recording the first-ever American triple-double in the event’s history. Mikel Brown Jr. also led the team in scoring (14.9 PPG) and assists (6.1 APG).
What college programs are represented by players on this gold medal-winning U.S. U19 team?
The 2025 U.S. U19 team featured many players heading to prominent college programs. Key players mentioned include Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville), Jasper Johnson (Kentucky), Nikolas Khamenia (Duke), Koa Peat (Arizona), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), and Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan). Head Coach Tommy Lloyd is the head coach at Arizona.
