The 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup features eight teams and will get underway on June 3 and run through June 9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The FIBA U18 AmeriCup is the most important regional tournament in the America’s continent for youth national teams, as the tournament will show the next generation of FIBA rising stars.
The FIBA U18 AmeriCup has existed since 1990. It is played every two years and the top four teams advance to the FIBA U19 World Cup.
6 Top College Prospects Playing In 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup
The United States, the six-time reigning gold medalists, is the prohibitive favorite in this year’s AmeriCup event, as the American squad is loaded with college talent. The US U18 squad has won 10 of the previous 12 FIBA AmeriCup tournaments. The Americans have not finished worse than third, garnering a silver and a bronze in the two events they didn’t win.
Argentina and Brazil have also won gold at the AmeriCup. Meanwhile, Canada and Brazil have medaled the second most among all participants (seven times), followed by Argentina (six). Puerto Rico has earned two medals overall, while Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have one. Belize is making its FIBA AmeriCup debut.
Brazil, Canada, Argentina, and the United States finished in the top four of the 2022 AmeriCup.
The FIBA AmeriCup has seen many talented players perform in the tournament over the years. Here is a look at where the top six players in the 2022 AmeriCup are currently playing.
United States: Cam Whitmore (Houston Rockets), Anthony Black (Orlando Magic), GG Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies).
Argentina: Dylan Bordon (Gran Canaria)
Brazil: Reynon Dos Santos (Overtime Elite)
Canada: Elijah Fisher (DePaul)
Who To Watch In The AmeriCup
Felipe Minzer, Argentina
Felipe Minzer is a 6-5, 198-pound 16-year-old guard who plays for Casademont Zaragosa in the Spanish ACB League. Minzer averaged 11.0 points on 52.2% shooting from the field and 25% from the 3-point line in six U16 Americas Championship games. He also contributed 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 4.0 turnovers.
Minzer also participated in the 2023 U17 South American Championship, compiling 10.6 points and 10.8 boards.
Enrico Borio, Brazil
Enrico Borio is an 18-year-old 6-5 forward who spent his high school years at North Broward Prep (FL). Borio will play at Jacksonville University next season. He averaged 17.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in five games during the U17 South American Championship in 2023.
Alejandro Aviles, Puerto Rico
Alejandro Aviles is a consensus top 150 player in the class of 2025. The 6-8 forward, 205-pound forward currently plays for Dream City Christian (Glendale, AZ)). He holds eight scholarship offers.
Aviles has performed well for Puerto Rico youth national teams. He averaged 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during the Centrobasket U17 Championship.
Mikel Brown Jr., United States
Mikel Brown is a 6-3 point guard who plays for Overtime Elite. Brown is a consensus top-15 recruit in the class of 2025 and holds 20 scholarship offers. Alabama, Ole Miss, and Providence are considered the favorites for his services.
Brown averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 29 minutes over 22 appearances for Overtime Elite. He also made 2.1 3-pointers and committed 2.1 turnovers a game while shooting .322/.323/.872.
Patrick Ngongba II, USA
Patrick Ngongba is a 6-10 from Fairfax (Va.) who is rated as the consensus No. 25 prospect in the class of 2024. Ngongba has signed with Duke and is projected as a late first-to-mid second-round pick in either the 2024 or 2025 NBA draft.
Danny Carbuccia, Domincan Republic
Danny Carbuccia is a 6-0 point guard from White Plains (NY) who plays at Archbishop Stepnac. Carbuccia is a consensus top-120 player in the class of 2025 and holds 18 offers.
Carbuccia has played well for the D.R. youth national team. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in five games in the 2023 Centrobasket U17 Championship.
Others To Watch
Canada
Olivier Rioux
Jaion Pitt
Jaion Pitt is a consensus top-75 player in the class of 2025.
Efeosa Oliogu
Efeosa Oliogu is a consensus top-55 player in the 2025 class.
Marial Akuentok
Puerto Rico
Isaiah MEDINA
Felipe Quinones
Isaiah Brown
Isaiah Brown is a top-110 recruit in the class of 2024 who has signed with Florida.
Dominican Republic
Anderson Diaz
Lucas Morillo
Frank Siaca Bey
Adrian Brito
Alex Constanza
Brazil
Zion Lima Sampaio
Gabriel Ferreira
Argentina
Alonzo Easterling
Tyler Kropp
United States
Check out a complete roster breakdown of Team USA players.
