Congratulations to the World Champion USA 19u National Team
Will Back-to-Back championships lead to "Three-Peat" in 2007
19u Junior World Championship, Douai, France
USA gets their Swagger Back
USA dominates the best in the world
Pictured above from left to right. Head Coach Linzy Davis, Jeff Rogers, Administrator; Trent Suzuki, Trainer; Thaddeus Young, Chase Budinger, Nick Calathes, Robin Lopez,
Nic Wise, Jeff Allen, Javaris Crittenton, Brook Lopez, Jeff Jones, Coach David Adkins, Coach Allen Stein, Dr. Kirk Brown.
Douai, France- The USA Elite proved that basketball in America is still king of the world as the USA Elite defeated Turkey in the 20th Annual Nike Junior World Championship, Douai, France, 107-78.
The USA jumped out to a 31-26 first quarter lead as Chase Budinger led the USA with 14 points. The USA Elite tirelessly maintained tempo in the second quarter but Turkey managed to keep up as the USA was only able to stretch their lead by two points by half-time, 55-48. Chase Budinger had 16 points by half-time to go along with five rebounds and three assist. Robin Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds, Thaddeus Young continued dominate all-around play with nine points, six rebounds, three assist, and three steals, and Jeff Allen put in work on both ends of the floor with eight points and six rebounds by half-time.
The USA Elite pulled away in the second half as they beat Turkey into submission with the win.
Chase Budinger, Tournament MVP, scored a game-high 22 points and added 12 rebounds, Robin Lopez, All-Tournament, had is most dominating performance with 19 points, and a tournament record 20 rebounds, Thaddeus Young, All-Tournament, finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, six assist, and three steals, Nick Calathes, All-Tournament, finished with 16 points, nine assist, and six rebounds, and Jeff Allen finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, while Jeff Jones finished with nine points.
Turkey was led by Sahin Ekmen with 16 points, Mehmet Arif Sahan 12 points, Mesut Kadir Cipa, Ogun Sevinc, and Attay Ozurganci finished with 11 points apiece.
The 20th Annual Nike Junior World Championship, Douai, France, will be a tournament that many fans from around the world will remember forever.
The USA Elite left the fans from around the world speechless as they put on a flawless performance. It was the first time a team averaged over 100 points a game in the 20 year history of the tournament. The USA Elite averaged 107.8 points per game. It was the first time that four USA players made the All-Tournament Team. It was the first time a USA player scored 40 points in a single game. It was the first time a USA player had 20 rebounds in a single game. It was the first time a USA player had six steals in a single game. It was the first time a USA player had nine assist in a single game. The USA Elite had the highest scoring total in a single game with 120 points. The USA Elite also had the greatest margin of victory in a single game with a 105-51 win over the Slovenia. Chase Budinger also won the Slam Dunk contest, and Nick Calathes won the 3-point contest.
“We are very please with our success.” Said coach Linzy Davis. “Our performance certainly raises the bar for future teams, and I am already preparing for next year.”