By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – In a spectacular night for Team USA, beating Germany for the gold medal at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, JJ Mandaquit took a special role for his team.
While other six teammates of his provided double-digit scoring to push the country to a redeeming run in the competition two years after their 4th place in Turkiye, the 18-year-old guard was put in single coverage on the toughest German guard to face, Christian Anderson. And he delivered.
“He’s a great player. We knew that he was going to be their guy coming into this game. Obviously, a little extra motivation knowing that G-Mac [Grant McCasland] is his coach [at Texas Tech University], we wanted to wear him out,” he told Eurohoops after winning the gold medal.
“He’s a great player, but we have a lot of dogs on our team and a lot of grit. We knew we were going to give him a tough night,” JJ Mandaquit also commented before touching on another German opponent.
Next year, at Washington University, he will have on his side Hannes Steinbach, inserted in the All-Starting Five of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. “He’s a special, special player. Just his feel for the game. He’s smart, he knows what to do, and just makes winning plays,” he said.
JJ Mandaquit takeover in place, I repeat, JJ Mandaquit takeover in place 🤯#FIBAU19 pic.twitter.com/a8Iu9BetuB
— NextGen Hoops (@NextGenHoops) July 6, 2025
“I just got to talk to him briefly after the game, and I’m excited to get to Seattle with him. We’ll be together in a couple of days, so I’m excited,” Team USA’s guard said about the German dominator.
Hannes Steinbach is only one of the International players heading to the NCAA. “It’s great. Why not try to face the best players in the world at the college level? I think it’s good for American basketball to have these players come over and give us a challenge. They’ll make the league a lot more competitive for sure.”
JJ Mandaquit’s roots are pretty special, as he has Filipino, Chinese, and Hawaiian blood in his veins. “I’m obviously super mixed and proud of all of my backgrounds. Growing up in Hawaii is special: I try to represent that place with the best that I can,” he said.
While from the Philippines, there’s hope that one day, at a senior level, the American guard may suit up for Gilas, he’s only focused on winning more and more with the 50-star flag around his body.
“Right now, I’m just focused on Team USA. I’m with Team USA 100%. I just won my third gold medal and am just super grateful to be a part of this. To be a part of the best basketball program in the world,” the Washington Huskies guard finished.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA