By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Argentina has captured the gold medal at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 after defeating hosts Brazil 75-73 in a thrilling Final, finishing the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record.
It was only fitting for Real Madrid‘s Gabriel Deck to make the last shot of the tournament, finishing with 20 points and 7 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line for a game-high efficiency rating of 20.
He was also named the MVP of the AmeriCup after a stellar tournament, averaging 21.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 64.9 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from three-point, and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line.
This was the fourth time that Argentina and Brazil squared off in an AmeriCup Final, as Argentina has now won three of those four matchups (2001, 2011, 2022). After finishing with the silver medal, Brazil has now won 11 medals at the competition, the second most all-time behind Argentina, who now has 14.
Argentina also won a medal for the 11th AmeriCup in a row, the best run in the history of the competition, and it will be their 14th medal overall, also the most ever.
“Extremely proud of our guys. I think they did an amazing job, but before that, I want to congratulate Brazil and its players, and coaches. I think they did an amazing tournament as well. Could be for them, could be for us. I think luck sometimes decides, so congrats to Brazil for an amazing tournament and an amazing Final,” said Argentina head coach Pablo Prigioni.
The USA got also a medal after defeating Canada 84-80 in the bronze medal game of the FIBA AmeriCup.
Gary Clark’s 10-point quarter and shooting efficiency was the momentum that the USA needed to swing the game back into their possession, even despite Canada’s scorers finding their own rhythm as well.
Clark led the USA with 18 points while Zylan Cheatham added 16 and both nabbed 6 rebounds in the win for the USA, and Stephen Zimmerman ended with a near double-double of 8 points and 8 rebounds on a roster that included Jeremy Pargo and Norris Cole.
Canada’s Abu Kigab led the team with 18 points.