Final | USA Vs Canada | Game starts at 22:00 Eastern Time
Everything is in place for the final, the 5th in a row between Canada and the USA. Some will understand that I was far from exaggerating in my post of June 13 when I mentioned that the Americans were dominating this competition in an outrageous manner. The USA's only defeat came in 2015 in the semi-final against Brazil by a score of 72-63, and Brazil was subsequently defeated in overtime in the final against Canada.
However, since that defeat, management of USA Basketball has rectified the situation, as far as the selection of the U16 team is concerned. The last 4 finals ended: in 2017 +45, 2019 +50, 2021 +73 (118-45) only the 2023 final was a little closer +20. That year, Canada had 3 players on the HoopGurlz ESPN list, Savvy Swords (2026) Deniya Prawl and Cearah Parchment (2025), the first two had the talent to be on the US team, but nothing is certain. That same year, Oliviah Edwards was cut from the US team, but she was on the ESPN list for the 2026 class, and is currently ranked second.
For this year's competition, both teams are presenting a roster of 8 players born in 2009, 4 in 2010 (USA), 3 in 2010 and one in 2011 (Canada). Since the last two selections, the USA have increased their selection of younger players. Canada has one player in the ESPN class of 2027, Canada's top player Avery Arije is ranked 27th. She took part in the 2023 U16 championship, but only played a total of 5 minutes in the last three games of the tournament. Chance Berry, also eligible, is listed 49th in the ESPN class of 2027, but she wasn't in the selection and I don't know why. She took part in the 2023 tournament, finished with 10 PPG, and in the final against the USA played 19 minutes and scored 8 points. I’m not saying she would have changed the outcome of the next final, but she would probably have made up the difference in the final score.
There are some good athletes on the Canadian side, though not as good as Wilson-Manyacka, Ojo (whom i like a lot) or Long. The best Canadian player, Avery Arije (#12), is the most advanced, both athletically and technically. Grace Pongang (#13) is very athletic, but lacks finish. The player for whom I have the most hope is
#34 Gabrielle Fajemirokun, 194 CM or
6 feet 4.38 inches, all length, very slim, arms and legs that seem too long for her body, I think she'll gain another inch or two, if not more. The 8th grader was born in 2011 and turned 14 last month, making her one of the youngest players in the tournament. That means she's just over two years older than the oldest players in the competition, which is a huge difference at this age. She plays at Crestwood, the same place where Aaliyah Edwards used to go, a good place for her development. Time will tell if I was right or wrong. Her profile is attached.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
All detailed statistics, points, assists and rebounds of Fajemirokun - Canada from FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup 2025
www.fiba.basketball
