At the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, Team USA secured its twelfth consecutive gold medal, downing Canada 90‑72 in a dominant performance that underscored the program’s sustained excellence and featured Kelsi Andrews as a key contributor.
Andrews’ Path to the Podium
Andrews started all five games and logged 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in just 12.2 minutes per contest. The victory marked her third gold with USA Basketball, having previously stood on the podium at the 2024 U17 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
Under head coach Niele Ivey of Notre Dame and assistants Robyn Fralick and Charmin Smith, the squad blended veteran poise with emerging talent, creating a seamless path back to the top of the podium.
A Roster Poised for the Next Generation
Veteran scorer Kaleena Smith topped the team with 19.8 points per game, while Jordyn Palmer’s 24‑point, 13‑rebound, five‑steal outing in the final earned her MVP honors. The All‑Star Five also featured Smith, Savvy Swords, Sofia Lombardero and Astrid Inojosa, and the coaching staff’s recruitment network has already attracted commitments from rising stars such as Jezelle Banks, Sydney Savoury and Sydney Douglas.
The win also drew the eye of Dawn Staley, who attended the championship game to watch Andrews and evaluate prospects for the upcoming college season, highlighting the program’s growing visibility across the collegiate landscape.
A Legacy of Dominance
USA Basketball’s 13 gold medals at the U18 Women’s AmeriCup, including a streak of twelve straight titles, reflect a pipeline that consistently produces elite talent. With prospects like Palmer and Banks poised to join the collegiate ranks, the pipeline shows no signs of slowing, echoing the influence of institutions such as Michigan State and the University of California, Berkeley in shaping the next generation of players.