July 25, 1999
LISBON, Portugal – Despite a 19-point performance by Bobby Simmons of DePaul, and after winning seven straight games to advance to the final game, the 1999 USA Men’s Junior World Championship Team was stopped short in its quest for a gold medal by Spain 94-87 Sunday night, and collected the silver medal, at the Atlantico Pavilion in Lisbon, Portugal. Matt Carroll, who will be a freshman guard at Notre Dame in the fall, played one minute in the championship game. Croatia defeated Argentina 66-59 for the bronze medal.
Earning the silver medal betters the United States’ previous performance at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Men’s Junior World Championship, which is held every four years, as the 1995 U.S. squad finished seventh with a 4-4 record. With its 7-1 finish, the United States improves its overall record at the tournament, which includes junior national teams from 16 nations, to 38-9 (80.9%) and the red, white and blue has now earned five medals in six competitions, including three golds (1979, 1983, 1991) and two silver medals (1987, 1999).
“We came out tonight strong and I felt these guys did a tremendous job,” said USA and Arizona State University head coach Rob Evans. “They were together for over a week in the U.S., they have been training hard here in Portugal for two weeks and they gave everything they had, and played well together. We didn’t win the gold medal, which is what we came here to do, but I’m very proud of everything they gave to this team.
“We have to give all the credit to Spain. Spain did a great job tonight, they played well tonight and tonight they deserved it. The game of basketball is a game where every night is different and some nights the ball goes in, some nights the ball doesn’t go in, and some nights you come up with the loose balls.”
The United States started the game in strong fashion and at 16:24, had run out to an early 16-8 lead. But Spain began to chip away at the deficit and grabbed a 23-22 lead with 10:05 left in the half. Less than a minute later, the United States was whistled for its eighth foul of the half, while Spain was in a good position with only three, and the U.S. was forced to ease up on its defense as Spain jumped out to a 31-23 upper hand. With Spain in the lead 35-25, Steve Lepore drilled a three-pointer at 5:15 as the USA’s offense began its comeback attempt, while its defense limited Spain to just one field goal for the remainder of the half.
With the score standing at 47-44 in favor of the Spanish team, Steve Logan was fouled while attempting a trey with two seconds left in the half and hit all three of his shots from the line to knot the score at 47-47 at the halftime buzzer. Despite holding Spain to just one field goal in the final minutes of the half, the Americans sent the Spaniards to the line six times, resulting in 10 points.
Spain jumped to a quick 56-49 advantage at 17:32 to start the second half, but with the help of four points each from Logan and Simmons, the United States trailed by one, 60-59, with 14:13 to go. At 11:09, and the USA still lagging by a point, 64-63, Simmons made a trio of three-point plays on the Americans’ next three possessions, including two treys, to go ahead 72-66 with 10:25 remaining. Spain fought back and after two lead changes the USA’s advantage had dwindled to 74-73, its last lead of the game, at 8:12 after Simmons was fouled driving to the basket and made good on yet another three-point play. Spain scored on its next possession and reclaimed a lead it would never relinquish.
The Americans stayed within reach and with 1:03 remaining in the contest, was only behind by three, 86-83, but after Keyon Dooling missed a three-point attempt, Spain hit a three-pointer on the other end. Simmons answered with a layup with 34.2 seconds showing and Spain’s lead was four points, 89- 84. Chris Williams picked up his fifth and last foul with 25 seconds to go and after Spain’s Juan Navarro hit the second of two free throws, Dooling slammed home a dunk, stopping the clock with 20 seconds to go and the score showing 90-87. Navarro was immediately fouled, hit the first of his free throws, missed the second and Spain grabbed the offensive carom and scored a basket with 11 seconds showing to put the game out of reach 93-87. Logan attempted a three in the waning seconds, grabbed his rebound and then missed a 15-foot jumper. Navarro held onto the rebound and Simmons was whistled for his fifth foul with less than a second to go in the game. Navarro again made one of two to give the Spaniards the 94-87 gold medal win.
In addition to his 19 points off the bench, Simmons also collected a team high six rebounds. Logan checked in for 18 points and Dooling closed out the tournament with 12 points and a team high five assists. Chris Williams swatted a team high three blocked shots to go with his seven points and four boards.
The U.S. shot a respectable 46.4 percent (32-69 FGs) from the field tonight, but was eclipsed by Spain’s 53.4 percent (31-58 FGs) of its shooting from the field. The game was won from the charity stripe however, as the Americans notched 32 fouls, resulting in Spain making 29 of its 39 attempts from the line (74.4%). On the opposite end, the United States earned 18 points from the line, on 18-22 shooting (81.8%), which came from 18 fouls by Spain.
1999 USA Men’s Junior World Championship Team
Matt Carroll, No. 7