NORFOLK, Va. - The United States women's basketball team dethroned the 2023 AmeriCup champion Brazil, 92-84 at the Centro de Deportes Colectivos in Santiago, Chile to regain the gold medal and win the U.S. its fifth title.
Old Dominion women’s basketball head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones was an assistant coach to Duke’s Kara Lawson and helped lead USA to its third AmeriCup title in its past four appearances.
“With the stakes being higher than before, coaching alongside my former teammate, and fighting for yet another gold medal to add to the collection, this time around was super special in so many ways,” said ODU Head Coach Milton-Jones. “I couldn’t be prouder of how well our players represented the great red white and blue. The city of Santiago put on an amazing showcase during the americup. I’m truly honored to be a part of something so special.”
With the victory, the United States has secured a ticket to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup being held in 2026 in Germany.
The United States took revenge for its loss to Brazil in the 2023 AmeriCup Final thanks in part to Mikayla Blakes’ standout performance. She finished with 27 points, the most by a U.S. player since 2003, and tacked on six rebounds and two steals. The Vanderbilt sophomore guard was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
After securing its fifth title, the U.S. moved past Cuba (4) into second place, one gold medal away from tying the tournament's current leader Brazil with six.
“USA Basketball and our Head Coach DeLisha Milton-Jones definitely have built a winning relationship, going back to her college days, throughout her 17-year WNBA career, and now seven years in as a collegiate Head Coach at ODU is truly amazing,” said ODU Assistant Coach Roland Jones. “DeLisha is a WINNER. USA Basketball knows this to win three Gold Medals in four years. I think you will see her lead her own team to a title really soon. We are blessed to have her as our head coach here at ODU!”
Final Standings
- United States**
- Brazil*
- Canada*
- Argentina*
- Colombia*
- Puerto Rico*
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
- Chile
- El Salvador
**Qualified for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 and the World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments.
*Qualified for the World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments.