Vanderbilt's Blakes scores 27 points to lead US to AmeriCup gold and berth at World Cup next year
The U.S. team, made up of college players, trailed 66-65 heading into the fourth quarter. Blakes, who finished a stellar freshman season at Vanderbilt, hit a 3-pointer early in the period to give the Americans a 70-69 advantage and sparked a 9-0 run.
South Carolina's Joyce Edwards capped the spurt with a layup that made it 76-69 with 6:37 left. Bella Nascimento hit two free throws to snap the drought and get the South American country within five.
The Americans answered every run Brazil made down the stretch and when Damiris Dantas hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to make it 89-84, Hannah Hidalgo, who finished with 16 points, hit three of four free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Dantas, who plays for the Indiana Fever, scored 35 points to lead Brazil. Nascimento had 24 points and Kamilla Cardoso added 19. The rest of the Brazilian team scored six points.
The U.S. trailed 47-45 at the half despite Blakes scoring 17 points in the opening two quarters.
The Americans won the AmeriCup in 2019 and 2021, but lost to Brazil in the gold medal game in 2023.
The start of the game was delayed as the bronze medal game between Canada and Argentina went to double overtime. The Canadians won 76-75 on a layup by Michigan star Syla Swords with 1.4 seconds left.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Had Words for Dwight Howard
Earlier in 2025, the NBA had confirmed that Dwight Howard would be among the players inducted into the Hall of Fame. The former NBA star made eight All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, five All-Defense teams, won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. After Howard found out about his induction, he took to his personal X account to reveal who he wanted to present him at the Hall of Fame, writing, "I want KG , Shaq, and Kareem to walk me out," with a prayer emoji and a #hof. Howard clearly indicated that he and O'Neal had squashed their years-long beef with one another through this message. However, on August 7, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced who would be presenting for each player who got inducted. In Howard's case, that would be Patrick Ewing, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman, and Dominique Wilkins. O'Neal's name was not on the list. Shaquile O'Neal Reveals How He And Dwight Howard Worked Things Out Over the weekend, FOX Sports' Rachel Nichols talked to O'Neal about Howard, where the former confirmed that he would be on stage to present for the latter at the Hall of Fame. He also explained to Nichols how he and Howard squashed their beef with each other. "We finally had a heart-to-heart," O'neal told Nichols. "The same thing I did with him, the same thing I did with Kobe (Bryant), (Dwyane) Wade, Penny Hardaway. That's how I motivate young players to become great. I treat 'em like I don't like 'em and I try to get 'em upset because I know guys like Dwight and Penny and Kobe especially and D-Wade. When you upset 'em, they play at a higher level. "But we hashed it out. He thought I generally disliked him. I told him, 'No, that's not the case.' As a leader, sometimes you have to find different ways of motivating youngsters." The difference between Howard and the other former NBA stars O'Neal mentioned is that he was never teammates with him, though they did play for a few of the same teams, most notably the Lakers and the Orlando Magic. During Howard's playing days, he and O'Neal had some choice words for each other, particularly because Howard called himself Superman as a nickname when O'Neal did the same thing when he played. This has led to an argument on X even after Howard's NBA days were over. Still, it appears Howard and O'Neal have put that behind them, as Howard has voiced his desire to have O'Neal there, and O'Neal has confirmed that the feeling is mutual. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mavericks' makes interesting Cooper Flagg decision
Mavericks' makes interesting Cooper Flagg decision originally appeared on The Sporting News It seems that the Dallas Mavericks are switching things up for Cooper Flagg this coming 2025-26 NBA season. Throughout Flagg's basketball career, he had always played in the forward position. He mainly played at the small forward position. However, it appears that the Mavericks are going to experiment with some new lineups, with Flagg playing at the guard position. According to Mavericks beat writer Mike Curtis, Dallas has officially added Flagg to their website as part of the main roster. What caught Curtis' attention was the fact that he was listed at the guard position. While his secondary position does say he'll play as a forward, it was intriguing to learn about the team's intention to let him play at the backcourt. Kyrie Irving's absence could be why Cooper Flagg will play guard While everyone is looking forward to the Dallas Mavericks' starting five of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II, it might take some time until we see them at full force. Last season, Irving tore his ACL, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Based on the current timeline provided by sources, Irving is expected to make his return by January 2026. Having that in mind, we could theorize that Flagg's enlistment at the guard position could be due to Irving's absence. As of the time of this writing, the Mavericks have yet to reveal their intentions of having Flagg play in the backcourt. Whatever the case may be, we'll just have to wait and see if Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd can efficiently utilize the rookie in the backcourt. Dallas is set to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 6 in the 2025 NBA Preseason opener.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Announces Personal News Before Season
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Announces Personal News Before Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shaquille O'Neal is widely regarded as one of the best in NBA history. While O'Neal won NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat and starred for several other teams, he has turned into one of the most successful businessmen in the sports realm. Following his retirement from the NBA, O'Neal has been involved in several off-court ventures, including acting, sports broadcasting and his candy business, Shaq-A-Licious. A report emerged on Monday that O'Neal was partnering with Hersheypark in Pennsylvania to create a first for the theme park: a temporary themed overlay for the park's Laff Trakk glowing coaster, which will be renamed the All-New Shaq-A-Licious Laff Trakk for the Halloween season and Dark Nights' haunt experience. "We're taking the flavor and the fun of my Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies and blowing it up into a larger-than-life adventure," said Shaquille O'Neal. "From the second you step inside, this ride brings non-stop energy and laughs." After the announcement was made, the vice president of Hersheypark, Vikki Hultquist, spoke on the partnership with Shaquille O'Neal. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Shaquille O'Neal on a one-of-a-kind ride experience you can only find at Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights," Hultquist said. As Hersheypark partners with O'Neal's company, he is preparing for a new season with his television cohorts: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. O'Neal and the rest of the panel will be working on their first season with ESPN/ABC during the 2025-26 NBA season. The season will tip off on Oct. 21. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
