The United States women’s under‑18 national team opened the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup with a commanding 90‑72 win over Canada in Irapuato, Mexico.
A Record‑Breaking Streak
The victory marked the 12th consecutive tournament win for the United States and the 13th overall, underscoring a dominance that was evident in an average margin of victory of 68.3 points across the first four games.
Head coach Niele Ivey, in her first role as a senior coach for USA Basketball, built on a résumé that includes assistant positions on gold‑medal‑winning squads at the 2024 U18 AmeriCup and the 2025 U19 World Cup. Her achievement adds her name to a short list that includes Irish‑heritage coach Carol Owens, the only other Irish‑born coach to win a gold medal as a USA Basketball head coach.
Canadian signee Isabella Sangha, originally from Toronto and who moved to South Florida for high school, contributed to the tournament with a silver medal. Over four games she averaged 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, reflecting a modest but steady impact on the Canadian side.
The U.S. finished the competition undefeated at 5‑0, a performance that not only reinforces the program’s depth but also sets a high bar for upcoming international events.