Team USA basketball once again secured a resounding victory, maintaining their flawless record in the FIBA U17 World Cup and clinching their seventh consecutive gold medal. With their 129-88 triumph over Italy in Istanbul, the United States extended their unbeaten streak to 51 games in the tournament.

The team's path to the 2024 gold medal was nothing short of dominating. Throughout seven games, Team USA outscored their opponents by an average of 128.6 to 64.3 points per game, showcasing their formidable prowess on both ends of the court.

In the gold medal game against Italy, the USA briefly trailed 3-2, marking only the third time they found themselves behind in the entire tournament. Their only prior deficits were against France (3-0) and Guinea (2-1), demonstrating the team's exceptional performance throughout the event.

As expected, Team USA's suffocating defense, balanced attack, and impressive athleticism proved too much for the Italians to handle. Standout players for the United States included five-stars Koa Peat, Cameron Boozer, Tyran Stokes, AJ Dybantsa, and Brandon McCoy.

Koa Peat, the No. 5 prospect in the class of 2025, led all scorers with 26 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Cameron Boozer, ranked No. 2 overall in 2025, achieved his fifth double-double of the World Cup, tallying 24 points and 13 rebounds. Boozer's outstanding performance earned him the World Cup's MVP award.

The top-ranked player in the class of 2026, Tyran Stokes, showcased his versatility as Team USA's sixth man, contributing 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists in an impressive all-around effort. AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 player in the rising senior class, added 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, earning a spot alongside Boozer on the All-Star five team.

Brandon McCoy, ranked No. 2 in 2026, delivered 13 points, four assists, and three steals, placing second in the World Cup with an average of 3.4 steals per game. Additionally, 2025 four-star JJ Mandaquit, despite not scoring, recorded an outstanding performance with 10 assists and just one turnover, securing second place overall for the tournament.

Team USA's exceptional teamwork was reflected in their impressive assist numbers. Overall, the team finished the tournament with an astounding average of 40.3 assists per game, including an incredible 44 assists in the gold medal game. Defensively, Team USA accumulated 19 steals in the final, contributing to their remarkable tournament average of 23.2 steals per game, while holding opponents to just 34.7% shooting.

Throughout the gold medal game, Team USA established multiple tournament records, including most points scored (surpassing their previous high of 111), most assists, most field goals made, as well as most points in both a half and a quarter. This outstanding performance solidified Team USA's claim to one of the most remarkable runs in U17 World Cup history.

In conclusion, Team USA showcased their dominance once again, clinching their seventh consecutive gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Cup. Their exceptional performances both offensively and defensively, along with the outstanding contributions of key players, secured their place in history as one of the most remarkable teams in the tournament's existence.