July 17, 2008

FORMOSA, ARGENTINA - JaMychal Green and his USA U18 National Team teammates secured a spot in the FIBA U19 World Championships in New Zealand with a 106-64 win against Puerto Rico Wednesday night. The University of Alabama incoming freshman is in Formosa, Argentina playing in the FIBA Americas U18 Championships.

The USA is now 3-0 and plays Canada, 2-1, in the semifinals on Thursday night at 5 p.m. CT. Puerto Rico, 2-1, plays Argentina, 3-0, in the other semifinal game. The winners will play in the gold medal game on Friday night. All four of the semifinal teams have qualified for the U19 World Championships by advancing to the semifinal round.

Five USA players scored in double digits in the win against Puerto Rico. Three players co-led with 15 points each, including Oregon incoming freshman Matt Humphrey, UCLA incoming freshman Malcolm Lee and UConn incoming freshman Kemba Walker.

Green, the state of Alabama's Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 2008 scored 12 points. He was 4 of 5 from the field and 4 of 5 at the free throw line. His game also included five rebounds and he blocked four shots in his 13 minutes on the floor. Green, who is from St. Jude in Montgomery, started at forward. He has started in all three games for the USA team.

Puerto Rico led early and was ahead 20-16 at the end of the first quarter. The USA tied the game at 36-36 with 2:09 remaining in the second quarter. It was Green's two free throws made, in fact, with 2:01 remaining in the first half that started the USA's run that would find it leading 44-36 at the half and never looking back.