2018 FIBA Americas U18 Women's Championship (Aug 1-7)

[JGX]

Final USA 84 Canada 60
3rd Place Argentina 62 Colombia 52
5th Place Puerto Rico 61 Chile 54
7th Place Mexico 83 El Salvador 61

USA started slow once again, but buried Canada in the third quarter. Rhyne Howard was named tournament MVP.

[carlo]

Even if not at their best level USA managed to clearly win the 9th title in a row. Close game at the beginning (same as with Colombia), then improving the execution and with a wide bench depth US team had no problem against an average Canadian squad. No prominent stars in this US team but anyhow 10-11 players (including injured Prince) almost at the same level.
In view of the 2019 U19 WC USA should manage to strengthen the roster with this year's U17 members.

[carlo]

Maori Davenport, an All-Tournament member for the US team, had her senior year suspended by Alabama HS Association as she received/cashed a check erroneously sent by USA Basketball as costs refund exceeding the amount allowed by the State's Association. After USA Basketball officials clarified their mistake, Davenport gave back the undue amount, but her suspension hasn't been overruled so far and the Rutgers recruit is going to sit out her final season. Nonsense decision indeed!

http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/25669908/rutgers-recruit-maori-davenport-lost-senior-season-gotten-easier

http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/25684801/wnba-spalding-lead-social-outrage-maori-davenport-suspension?addata=espnw:ncw:index

[JGX]

The Davenport thing is pretty ridiculous but USAB deserves serious blame for putting her in that situation.

[carlo]

In fact the player is paying for someone else's (USA Basketball) mistake.

Anyway, a judge ruled today that she can play based on a lawsuit filed by the Davenport family, pending a court hearing on a later date.

https://www.al.com/sports/2019/01/judges-rules-in-maori-davenports-favor-and-she-can-play-tonight.html