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BYU's AJ Dybantsa (7) takes a shot against Canada in the quarterfinals at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday, July 4, 2025.

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BYU's AJ Dybantsa (7) takes a shot over Canada's Efeosa Oliogo in the quarterfinals at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Courtesy FIBA

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Team USA, which has been dominant at the FIBA U19 World Cup, went up by double-digits early against Canada in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Americans looked to be headed to another rout.

Canada had other ideas.

The Canadians staged a comeback to get right back into the game, including a half-court shot at the end of the first half by Jaion Pitt to beat the buzzer. USA held just a one-point lead heading to the final quarter but got big-time play from BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville) to finish with a 108-102 win.

USA Basketball is heading to the semifinals of the U19 World Cup, but few expected the quarterfinal to be this tough for the tournament’s heavy favorite.

Dybantsa and Brown both rose to the occasion.

Dybantsa delivered 22 points, four rebounds and three assists, making a clear statement after a relatively quiet start to the competition. He took control in the closing minutes, staying composed at the free throw line and finishing 12 of 13, including 8 for 8 in the final quarter.

Brown added 20 points and 8 assists, continuing to make the case that he may be the purest shooter the United States has produced since Stephen Curry. He went 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

“Canada gave us a heck of a battle,” USA big man Morez Johnson Jr. said. “They gave us a good game. As a player you have to love a game like that, especially when you come out on top. It was a great game. Lots of fun.”

USA guard JJ Mandaquit added: “It’s amazing, just to be here – the big stage. Canada played a great game but at the end of the day we have one goal – that’s to win gold. We pulled it out. No matter what the score was. We won the game.”

Overall, the USA was mostly in control of the game — but Canada never backed down. There were 11 lead changes, and Canada kept punching back. At one point, they went on a 13-0 run spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third, turning a 50-61 deficit into a 63-61 lead.

This game was a nail-biter until the very end, pushing the USA to bring their A-game and their stars to step up when it counted.

Canada, for their part, played an outstanding game. Jordan Charles (19 points, 5 assists) and Tristan Beckford (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) matched the Americans’ intensity and proved they belong on this world-class stage.

Four teams remain standing at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 with favorites USA and Germany both surviving tough tests in the quarterfinals while Slovenia and New Zealand made history — the latter spoiling the party for hosts Switzerland.

New Zealand, who have never reached this level before but made history by beating Switzerland 84-70.

Hayden Jones scored 23 points to go with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks, Julius Halaifonua had 17 points and Oscar Goodman tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Junior Tall Blacks, who were already playing in their first-ever quarterfinals.

It was a long time coming but Germany finally have returned to the semifinals, beating Australia to end a 38-year wait. The Germans nearly wasted a 23-point lead as the Australians got back within four points but ended up prevailing 80-67.

Slovenia secured their first-ever berth in the Semi-Finals by running away from Israel 79-55 in the quarterfinals and set up a date with Germany. The Balkan used a 17-3 run over the final 4 minutes of the first half to take control and were never threatened the rest of the way.

Zak Smrekar tallied 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Urban Kroflic chipped in 13 points in the win. Slovenia’s best previous finish was seventh in 2003.

Canada moves to semifinals in FIBA AmeriCup