By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Round 1 of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers concluded with four games last night.
Dominican Republic defeated Mexico 92-85 on the road at Gimnasio Marcelino Gonzalez, with EuroLeague guards leading the way.
Real Madrid’s Andrés Feliz topped the scoring with 21 points, while Valencia’s Jean Montero added 20. Zaragoza’s Joel Soriano contributed 16 points, and Unicaja’s Chris Duarte scored 13. Experienced Paco Cruz from Mersin led Mexico with 29 points.
Team USA also opened with a victory, cruising past Nicaragua 102-67 on the road. MarJon Beauchamp led the way with 24 points, former NBA and AEK Athens guard Brandon Knight added 14, and ex-Joventut and Tenerife star Kyle Guy, who recently came out of retirement, scored 11 points.
Canada dominated as well, beating the Bahamas 111-75. Reyer Venice’s Kyle Wiltjer led Canada with 22 points, while Anadolu Efes big man Kai Jones contributed 12 points and seven rebounds for the Bahamas.
Finally, Jamaica pulled off a 92-90 upset over Puerto Rico, powered by Kofi Cockburn’s 26 points and 15 rebounds. Gian Clavell, who recently signed with AEK Athens, had 14 points for Puerto Rico.
Argentina and Brazil begin World Cup bid with road wins
FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers
Group A
1. USA 2 (1-0)
2. Dominican Republic 2 (1-0)
3. Mexico 1 (0-1)
4. Nicaragua 1 (0-1)
Group B
1. Canada 2 (1-0)
2. Jamaica 2 (1-0)
3. Puerto Rico 1 (0-1)
4. Bahamas 1 (0-1)
Group C
1. Brazil 2 (1-0)
2. Colombia 2 (1-0)
3. Venezuela 1 (0-1)
4. Chile 1 (0-1)
Group D
1. Uruguay 2 (1-0)
2. Argentina 2 (1-0)
3. Cuba 1 (0-1)
4. Panama 1 (0-1)