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Julius Randle’s double-double leads USA Basketball U-18 to win gold at FIBA Americas

Julius Randle

The United States came into the tournament as favorites and left as champions.

Facing little resistance throughout the tournament, the USA Basketball U18 team took care of Brazil, 81-56, in the title game to win gold at the 2012 FIBA Americas.

“I told our guys after that they’re the ones that made it all possible,” said USA head coach Billy Donovan in a release. “There was a lot of sacrifice. We had a lot of good players and I think they all understood that they all could probably score more, they all could probably do more, but maybe it wouldn’t be the best thing for our team.

“I was just really proud of the way they sacrificed for one another, they sacrificed for our country and they really wanted to win.”

Uncommitted 2013 prospect Julius Randle led the way for the United States in the championship game, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the victory.

“I just wanted to lock in and bring energy to the team, bring leadership to the team, and in the second half I just really wanted to focus in and be aggressive on both ends and on the defensive and offensive glass,” Randle said.

In the tournament, the US team averaged 97.2 points per game, with an average margin of victory of 38.6 points.

By finishing in the top four this year, the United States earns an invitation to the U19 championship in 2013, along with Brazil, Canada, and Argentina.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_