Team USA celebrated a spectacular victory, securing the gold medal at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup by defeating Germany. While several American players contributed double-digit scoring, JJ Mandaquit, an 18-year-old guard, took on a critical, specialized role for his team. His primary assignment was to provide single coverage on Germany's toughest guard, Christian Anderson, a challenge he met with remarkable success.

Mandaquit acknowledged Anderson's skill, stating, "He’s a great player. We knew that he was going to be their guy coming into this game." He also mentioned an extra motivation, stemming from Anderson’s coach, G-Mac (Grant McCasland), at Texas Tech University, indicating a strategic aim to exhaust the German player. Mandaquit further emphasized his team's collective toughness, stating, "We have a lot of dogs on our team and a lot of grit. We knew we were going to give him a tough night." His defensive effort was pivotal in limiting Anderson's impact, contributing significantly to Team USA's redemptive run after their 4th place finish two years prior.

Looking ahead, Mandaquit will soon be united with another German opponent, Hannes Steinbach, at Washington University. Steinbach was recognized for his exceptional play, being named to the All-Starting Five of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Mandaquit lauded Steinbach's abilities, describing him as a "special, special player" due to his basketball IQ and knack for making "winning plays." Expressing his excitement, Mandaquit shared that he briefly spoke with Steinbach post-game and is eager to join him in Seattle.

The integration of international players like Steinbach into the NCAA collegiate level is a trend Mandaquit views positively. He believes it enhances the competitiveness of American basketball, providing domestic players with opportunities to face the world’s best. "Why not try to face the best players in the world at the college level?" he questioned, adding that these players will undoubtedly make the league "a lot more competitive."

Mandaquit's own background is uniquely diverse, tracing his roots to Filipino, Chinese, and Hawaiian heritage. He expressed immense pride in his mixed background and his upbringing in Hawaii, striving to represent his home with excellence. Despite hopes from the Philippines that he might one day represent Gilas at a senior level, Mandaquit's current focus remains firmly on Team USA. Having just secured his third gold medal, the Washington Huskies guard affirmed his unwavering commitment: "Right now, I’m just focused on Team USA. I’m with Team USA 100%. I just won my third gold medal and am just super grateful to be a part of this. To be a part of the best basketball program in the world."