Team USA emerged victorious in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, thanks to the stellar performances of Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes. The dynamic duo combined for 43 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists in a hard-fought 92-84 win over Brazil in the championship game.
The triumph of Team USA was met with jubilation by several college basketball stars, including USC’s JuJu Watkins and Iowa’s Kylie Feuerbach. Watkins took to Instagram to repost a picture of her teammate Kennedy Smith, a fellow member of Team USA, with a string of clapping hands emojis to celebrate their success. Feuerbach also joined in the celebrations by sharing the post on her Instagram story, adding a gold medal emoji while tagging her teammate Hannah Stuelke, who contributed seven points in the title-clinching game.
Iowa coach Jan Jensen joined in the congratulatory messages, praising Stuelke for her outstanding performance in the tournament. Jensen took to Instagram to express her pride in Stuelke and the entire Team USA squad for their achievement in winning the AmeriCup.
Meanwhile, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb also lauded Kennedy Smith and the rest of Team USA on her Instagram story, recognizing their resilience and teamwork in securing the championship victory.
Hannah Hidalgo’s exceptional performance in the AmeriCup added another gold medal to her illustrious collection with Team USA. This summer, she showcased her skills on the international stage, averaging 12.4 points and 4.6 assists in seven games. Hidalgo, who was the sole representative from Notre Dame on the roster, previously won two gold medals with Team USA at the youth level in the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup.
The post-game celebrations and messages of support from fellow players, coaches, and fans highlighted the camaraderie and unity within the basketball community. As Team USA basked in their well-deserved victory, the future looks bright for these talented athletes as they continue to excel on the international stage.
