Team USA Clinches AmeriCup Gold Over Brazil: Gamecocks Shine in Hard-Fought Finale
In a thrilling gold medal showdown at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile, Team USA emerged victorious over a formidable Brazilian squad led by former South Carolina Gamecock Kamilla Cardoso and WNBA standout Damiris Dantas. With the 69–58 win at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos, the U.S. women capped off a dominant tournament run under Coach Kara Lawson, completing their sweep through group play, the quarterfinals, and semifinals.
Game Recap: USA vs. Brazil
The matchup featured early fireworks. Team USA held a narrow edge at halftime (45-42), but their defensive intensity in the second half, especially a 14–5 burst in the fourth quarter, sealed the gold.
Brazil, however, didn’t go quietly. They stayed close thanks to a dominant performance from Damiris Dantas, who dropped 20 points on 87.5% shooting (7-of-8 from the field) and pulled down 5 rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso, though limited to just under six minutes of play, was perfect from the field, going 3-for-3 and finishing with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Cardoso’s brief but efficient stint reminded fans why she remains one of the most promising post players internationally — and a rising star for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA.
Gamecock Stars Spark USA Victory
For South Carolina, the victory was particularly sweet. Every Gamecock player in the AmeriCup brought home a medal, a testament to the program’s ongoing impact on the global stage.
Among the top performers was Joyce Edwards, the heralded South Carolina freshman, who chipped in 4 rebounds and 2 points in just over 9 minutes. While her role was limited, her presence on such a prestigious stage reflects her rapidly rising star in international basketball.
Her teammate, Flau’jae Johnson, though listed, didn’t see action in the gold medal game but remains part of the gold-medal-winning squad.
Historic Contributions from the Bench
Other American standouts included Mikayla Blakes, who led Team USA with 18 points on 54% shooting, and Olivia Miles, who dished out a team-high 6 assists. As a team, the U.S. shot 36.8% from the field and a blistering 93.8% from the free throw line, showcasing poise in the face of Brazil’s physical frontcourt.
The player statistics for Team USA and Brazil from the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup final have been compiled into a PDF. You can download it using the link below:
📄 Download AmeriCup 2025 Final Stats (PDF)
The Bigger Picture
This win marks another major milestone for Coach Kara Lawson and her USA squad as they continue to dominate the Americas on the women’s basketball stage. It also reinforces the power and reach of the South Carolina women’s basketball program, whose alumni like Cardoso, Edwards, and others continue to make waves globally.
Whether it’s lifting trophies or dominating box scores, Gamecocks past and present are leaving their mark — and the 2025 AmeriCup was no exception.
