PORTLAND (USA) – The 2025 Nike Hoop Summit witnessed a historic showdown as the USA Team clashed with the World Team, culminating in a thrilling 124-114 overtime victory for the Americans. Despite boasting considerable talent, the USA squad faced a stern test from their international counterparts, marking the first-ever overtime in the event's history. The game was punctuated by outstanding individual performances on both sides, contributing to an unforgettable contest.

AJ Dybantsa and Darius Acuff spearheaded the USA attack, each registering 24 points. Cameron Boozer dominated the interior, amassing 22 points, a record-breaking 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. The USA team's scoring output set a new benchmark for the most points in a single game at the Hoop Summit. Despite relinquishing a 16-point advantage with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, the USA regrouped to dominate the overtime period, securing their fifth consecutive win against the World Team.

"(It was a) great game between two talented teams – feel like it went down to the wire," Acuff stated on the USA Basketball website. "I feel that's how it's supposed to be though when two talented teams are playing against each other. Glad we came out with the win." Acuff is among four players from the USA team who were instrumental in the Americans' triumph at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024, alongside Nate Ament, Jasper Johnson, and Nikolas Khamenia. Boozer, along with his twin brother Cayden Boozer, Dybantsa, Chris Cenac, and Jalen Haralson, were all part of the USA team that clinched the championship at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024. Cameron Boozer earned MVP honors at the FIBA U17 World Cup.

"We just wanted to be the tougher team. USA Basketball, we're the best 12 players in the country and we just wanted to go out there and show it," Cameron Boozer, the FIBA U17 World Cup 2024 Most Valuable Player, commented after the game during the television broadcast. He had previously been named TISSOT MVP after the USA captured the crown at the U17 World Cup. Reflecting on the game's ebbs and flows, Boozer added, "The first half we had a lull, we weren't playing to the best of our abilities but at halftime we talked about getting tougher and getting rebounds and 50-50 balls. And that's what we did in the second half."

Tounde Yessoufou of Benin led the World Team with 24 points, while Italy's Dame Sarr contributed 17 points. Bogoljub Markovic recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Eric Reibe, Tajh Ariza, and Shon Abaev each added 11 points. Zhang Boyuan, the star forward from China, had a strong first half, helping the World Team embark on a 12-2 run to take a 22-19 lead, with the score tied at 22-22 after the first quarter. The international stars capitalized in the second quarter, extending their lead to 44-34 and further to 53-41 just before halftime, ultimately heading into the break with a 53-44 advantage.

The USA team intensified their defensive efforts and transitioned into a fast-paced game in the third quarter, led by the trio of Cam Boozer, Dybantsa, and Acuff, resulting in a 28-7 surge to start the quarter and take a 72-60 lead. Their advantage grew to 15 points, reaching 81-68 after thirty minutes. The USA appeared to be in control, leading by 16 points on two occasions, 87-71 and 92-76, the latter with approximately 4:30 minutes remaining. However, the World Team mounted a remarkable comeback, unleashing a 15-0 run spearheaded by Yessoufou and Sarr, narrowing the gap to 92-91. Three free throws by Sarr then leveled the score at 94-94.

After a crucial three-pointer by Cam Boozer, Yessoufou responded with a steal and a dunk, bringing the World Team within one point in the final minute. Boozer managed to convert only one of two free throws with 5.6 seconds left, allowing Yessoufou to drive the length of the court and score a layup to tie the game and force overtime. In the extra session, the USA proved too strong, forcing turnovers and outscoring the World Team 12-2 to establish a 10-point lead at 110-100. Mikel Brown sealed the victory from the free-throw line, finishing with 17 points, including 15 of 18 free throws.

Despite featuring some of basketball's brightest future stars, the USA team faced a formidable challenge from the international squad, which included players already competing professionally in their respective domestic leagues and others excelling in high schools across the United States. "A lot of people have been doubting us the whole time and expecting them to win. So we came here with a killer mentality and try to win," Yessoufou said during the television broadcast at halftime.

The USA Team now holds a 19–7 lead in the all-time Hoop Summit series. The last victory for the World Team was in 2018. Dybantsa is likely to participate in the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025. AJ Dybantsa has his sights set on a U19 title next year and Olympic gold in 2028 FIBA.

In the Women's Nike Hoop Summit, Sienna Betts and Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Davidson shone brightly for the USA, leading their team to a 90-78 victory against the World Select Team. This win marks the USA's third consecutive triumph in the event's first three editions. The dynamic duo played pivotal roles in the USA's success at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, further highlighting the depth of emerging talent already making waves in FIBA youth tournaments.

Betts, a standout performer at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup in Colombia last year where she made the All-Star Five, achieved the highest performance efficiency valuation in the game with 24, contributing a near double-double with 16 points and 9 rebounds, along with an impressive 5 steals. Davidson, known for her exciting playmaking, showcased her skills with a game-high 17 points and 7 assists. Both Davidson and Betts were teammates at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup and won gold at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2024.

Although the USA maintained control for much of the game, they faced a late challenge when their double-digit lead evaporated, and the World Select Team briefly took a 72-71 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, the USA responded with a decisive 13-2 run, fueled by Betts' dominance inside, ultimately securing the win. The USA team boasted five players scoring in double figures, including Emilee Skinner, a FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup winner, who contributed 13 points with an efficient 5-of-7 shooting performance.

The World Select Team's efforts were primarily led by Ayla McDowell, Saffron Shiels, and Sarah Cisse. McDowell, who represented Brazil at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup, led her team with 15 points, missing only two shots throughout the game. Australian talent Shiels, who participated in the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022, delivered an all-around performance with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Cisse, representing the continuous stream of young French stars, had a productive night with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.