USA win U17 gold, Spain – silver, Canada – bronze, DeShields – MVP

United States of America are the FIBA U17 World Champions.

The title for the Americans didn’t come easy as Spain were able to go on runs throughout the game, but ultimately their depth and level of talent of the top players came through. Marina Lizarazu led Spain with 19 points.

Diamond DeShields was named the MVP of the tournament. Joining her on the All-Tournament team are Linnae Harper from USA, Leticia Romero from Spain and Japanese players Yunika Nakamura and Evelyn Mawuli.

Japan fell in the bronze medal game to Canada despite leading by eleven in the third quarter. Canada erased that deficit by the end of that quarter and were leading by 5 heading in the final quarter. Japan couldn’t regain the lead in the final quarter.

Alicia Froling had 12 points, Vanessa Panousis and Louise Brown recorded double-doubles as Australia took fifth place against Italy. Hind Ben Abdelkader scored 29 points as Belgium ousted their neighbors Netherlands in the 7th place game.

Final

USA – Spain 75-62
USA: Greenwell 13, Allen 13, DeShields 13 (12 reb), Reimer 12
Spain: Lizarazu 19, Pujol 10, Arrojo 9 (12 reb)

Bronze medal game

Canada – Japan 84-77
Canada: Potter 17 (11 reb), Wolfram 15 (15 reb), Nurse 14
Japan: Nakamura 27 (13 reb), Yamada 12, Miyazaki 11, Mawuli 10, Hatakenaka 9

5th Place Classification

Australia – Italy 58-49
Australia: Froling 12, Panousis 11 (13 reb), Brown 10 (10 reb)
Italy: Penna 12, Tagliamento 11, Barberis 8

7th Place Classification

Netherlands – Belgium 65-70
Netherlands: Slim 23, Guijt 15, Cornelius 7, De Jonge 7
Belgium: Ben Abdelkader 29, Nauwelaers 13, De Baets 9