Jasper Johnson, Team USA sneak past Canada in FIBA U19 World Cup quarterfinal

Trailing by as many as five points in the third quarter, Team USA survived its first scare of the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

On a July 4th Friday in Switzerland, the United States snuck past Canada by a score of 108-102 in the quarterfinals. Kentucky freshman guard Jasper Johnson, who finished with eight points (3-4 FG), two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 13 minutes, came up with a couple of timely buckets in the second half for the Americans when the game was still in the balance.

Following the win over their neighbors up north, Team USA advances to the semifinals on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET against the winner of New Zealand and Switzerland. Only two victories separate the US from its ninth gold medal in this event.

Jasper Johnson drains the three 🎯 pic.twitter.com/bEYtpAOGtA

— ⁰⁰ (@BigBlueTega) July 4, 2025

Canada took a quick lead out of the gate, but Team USA responded and went into the second quarter ahead by six. The advantage would grow to as many as 13 points in the second frame, Canada on the verge of being blown out. But the Americans let their guard down going into halftime and early into the second half. A 13-point US lead turned into just a seven-point advantage at the break and eventually into a five-point edge for the Canadians midway through the third period.

But the more talented roster locked in and fought back, retaking the lead a few minutes later. It was a back-and-forth affair until Team USA created just enough separation down the stretch to hold onto the win. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa led the way with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals for the Americans, while Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. wasn’t far behind with 20 points and eight assists of his own.

Mark Pope‘s high school recruiting targets stepped up, as well. Five-star wing Tyran Stokes followed up his triple-double performance in the Round of 16 by posting 10 points and three rebounds. Five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. also chipped in 14 points and five rebounds. Canada shot the ball better from the field, but Team USA lived at the free throw line, finishing with a 38-47 (80.1 percent) clip.

Now five games (and five wins) into the FIBA U19 World Cup, Johnson has posted per-game averages of 7.4 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds, and one steal in 14.6 minutes off the bench while shooting 42.1 percent (8-19) from long range.