Kalkbrenner Helps USA Win FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup

#1 United States 83, #4 France 81 - Box Score - Highlights

RIGA, LATVIA – The United States overcame a five-point fourth quarter deficit to rally and defeat France, 83-81, in the Gold Medal game of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup on Sunday in Riga, Latvia.

The US squad trailed 64-59 after three quarters but used an 11-0 run during a span that saw France big man Victor Wembanyama head to the bench with four personal fouls, then return and be disqualified with his fifth foul with 2:42 to play. The 17-year old Wembanyama, regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocked shots for France.

Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner played just over three minutes in the first half, but did not record any other individual statistics. Kalkbrenner finished the tournament averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game (T-11th) in 11.0 minutes per game. He made 18-of-29 field goal attempts (62.1 percent) and 5-of-7 free throws (71.4 percent).

The US opened up a 12-4 lead in the opening minutes, only to see France close to within 21-19 at the end of the first quarter. The French squad would rally to go ahead 42-37 at halftime.

France never trailed in the third quarter, building a 58-50 lead before the US squad scored eight in a row to tie it. Undaunted, France closed the quarter with a 64-59 lead as the Americans were unable to cut into its halftime hole.

But Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Louisiana Tech) and Jaden Ivey (Purdue) led the US in the fourth quarter as France would eventually surrender its lead. Ivey and Lofton each scored 16 points. Ivey was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Gonzaga-bound Chet Holmgren of the US, who was named Tournament MVP.

Now the back-to-back reigning FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist, USA men's teams have won eight gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal while compiling an 105-14 overall record in U19 World Cup play since the event was launched in 1979. Even more impressive, the USA has won five of the past seven U19 golds since 2009.

Earlier in the day incoming Creighton freshman Ryan Nembhard had 21 points and 10 assists to help Canada to a bronze medal in a 101-92 come-from-behind win vs. Serbia. In seven games in Latvia, Nembhard averaged 15.1 points, 6.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He also shot 80 percent from the line (20-25) and 38.9 percent (14-36) from three-point range. Nembhard ranked in the top-25 in the event in assists per game (T-1st), double-doubles (T-5th), free throw percentage (7th), points per game (T-9th), minutes per game (9th), 3-point percentage (12th) and steals per game (T-25th).

The bronze medal was just Canada's second ever at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, joining a 2017 Gold Medal on a team starring current New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett.

**FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Schedule**
July 3	#2 Canada 80, #5 Lithuania 71	Highlights	Video	Stats
	#1 United States 83, #6 Turkey 54	Highlights	Video	Stats
July 4	#2 Canada 100,. #27 Japan 75	Highlights	Video	Stats
	#1 United States 100, #20 Mali 52	Highlights	Video	Stats
July 6	#2 Canada 85, #38 Senegal 56	Highlights	Video	Stats
	#1 United States 87, #11 Australia 66	Highlights	Video	Stats
July 7	#1 United States 132, #19 Korea 60	Highlights	Video	Stats
	#2 Canada 86, #12 Puerto Rico 56	Highlights	Video	Stats
July 9	#2 Canada 81, #3 Spain 77	Highlights	ESPN+	Stats
	#1 United States 88, #38 Senegal 58	Highlights	ESPN+	Stats
July 10	#1 United States 92, #2 Canada 86	Highlights	ESPN+	Stats
July 11	Bronze Medal Game #2 Canada 101, #7 Serbia 92	Highlights	ESPN+	Stats
	Gold Medal Game: #1 United States 83, #4 France 81	Highlights	ESPN+	Stats

Kalkbrenner Helps USA Win FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup

Players Mentioned

Ryan Kalkbrenner

Ryan Nembhard

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