The 2023 FIBA AmeriCup has concluded and Team USA once again claimed the winner’s spot. While the USA women’s 3×3 basketball team had hyped expectations, thanks to the return of LA Lakers shooter Katie Lou Samuelson, their second straight win was probably not entirely anticipated. The USA won the gold medal at the 2023 3×3 AmeriCup with an incredible win over Brazil.

The women’s 3×3 basketball team finished the competition 5-0 and claimed the gold in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday, 3rd December. While the team was trailing 13-10 at the midpoint, late heroics from Samuelson and Dearica Hamby wriggled out a close win for Team USA. With the champions coming home with the gold yet again, here are the five best moments from the tournament that helped the US triumph at the AmeriCup.

Team USA running riots at the 2023 AmeriCup

During Saturday’s match against Uruguay, USA clinched the victory by 17-12. In the early stages of the game, Hamby’s incredible block helped Team USA start with confidence and helped them retain the energy for the rest of the tournament. The official USA basketball account on X (formerly Twitter) shared five moments from the tournament that ensured the USA’s top spot at the 2023 AmeriCup. Hamby’s block was one of the earliest indicators of how Team USA went into the tournament.

The USA beat Canada once again this year at the AmeriCup, and that too in the semis! A brilliant 21-15 finish helped the USA proceed to the finals, where they faced off against Brazil. The result came as the cherry on top after Team USA displayed vigor on the court and Kelsy Micthell’s assist to Hamby while the USA was still trailing 9-11 was something of a masterpiece.

Team USA won against the Dominican Republic during the group stages 21-10. With an exquisite assist from Samuelson, Hamby didn’t miss the hoop and ensured the USA team’s spot at the knockout stages. “She delivers like a midwife“, the commentator couldn’t help but blurt out, and we are on the same page! Mitchell fought off advertisers with vigor and made an incredible hoop during the semifinal match against Canada.

The list wouldn’t end without Hamby’s frame-worthy shot against Brazil in the final. An inviting lofted pass from Mictehll found the right person at the right place and Team USA beat Brazil 21-20 after a nail-biter.

AmeriCup win sets a higher bar for 2024

The AmeriCup is by no means the end of the line for Team USA’s incredible run. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have secured their spots at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Based on the FIBA rankings, the USA is among the three qualified teams in both categories.

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Both the men’s and women’s teams are ranked second and China is expected to give Team USA a run for their money at the Summer Olympics next year. With their dominance in the recently concluded AmeriCup, the USA women’s team will surely have an eye for the gold.

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