Jeter Helps Lead USA to Gold Medal at Pan American Games
PITTSBURGH – Former Pitt standout Sheldon Jeter matched a team-high with eight points in a 21-19 win over Puerto Rico in the gold medal game of 3×3 Men’s Basketball at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru Monday.
Gold taste better than silver 🥇 pic.twitter.com/qySyoNijoK
— Shel The Philosopher (@ShelPhiFuego) July 30, 2019
Jeter went 6-of-10 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free throw line as the U.S. team avenged a pool play loss to Puerto Rico and hand them their only loss of the Games. The USA team of Jeter, Dominique Jones, Kareem Maddox and Jon Octeus advanced to the gold medal game with a 21-12 win over Brazil in the semifinals Monday morning.Having suffered a narrow 20-18 loss to Puerto Rico in preliminary play on July 28, the U.S. men turned the tables the second time around.In a game in which the biggest lead for either team was three points, the U.S. and Puerto Rico jousted for control of the game.
Puerto Rico led 8-7 with 5:36 to play, but a 2-pointer by Jon Octeus propelled the USA to a 9-8 lead. Puerto Rico tied the game at 9, but Maddox connected on a 2-pointer, and the U.S. had an 11-9 lead. Maddox drained his second 2-pointer at 3:59, and the Americans led 13-10.Puerto Rico battled back and grabbed a 14-13 lead with 3:10 to go, but the U.S. wouldn’t let go of the game. Jeter scored and completed the two-point play by sinking the free throw awarded, and Jeter scored again at 2:39 to lift the U.S. ahead 16-14. Puerto Rico rallied once more, and Angel Matias sank a two to even the score 19-all with 1:28 to play.Octeus was fouled on a drive to the basket, and with Puerto Rico over the foul limit, calmly sank his two free throws with 1:19 remaining to capture gold and the win. Octeus and Jeter paced the U.S. scoring 8 points each, while Maddox added four points and Jones contributed one point.
Congratulations USA 3×3 men and women Pan Am Gold medals! Big shout out to @KareemMaddox @JonBlaze_21 @sabrina_i20 Big time winners! 🇺🇸🥇💪🏀 pic.twitter.com/pOwN1aLuR8
— Joe Lewandowski (@coachJoeLew) July 29, 2019
Team USA went 2-3 in pool play with wins over Venezuela (21-14) and Dominican Republic (21-13) and narrow defeats to Brazil (20-19), Puerto Rico (20-18) and Argentina (22-20).This was the first time 3×3 basketball has been included at the Pan American Games, and the men’s and women’s tournaments feature six teams each. Similar to the Pan American Games, 3X3 basketball will make its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The exciting and fast-paced game officially was unveiled in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and since has become a fan favorite at FIBA 3×3 World Cup events. 3×3 is played on a half court with a 12-second shot clock and a 10 minute game clock. The first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner.
Congratulations Sheldon Jeter. Gold medal 3 x 3 team member. https://t.co/L3h2KxAFou
— Matt Furjanic Jr. (@MattFurjanicJr) July 29, 2019
Jeter becomes the first Pitt men’s basketball player to earn a gold medal with USA Basketball since James Robinson helps Team USA to gold at the 2013 FIBA World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. Jerome Lane was the last Panther to earn a medal (silver) in basketball at the Pan Am Games in 1987, while Sam Clancy was the first Pitt player to earn a gold medal at the 1979 Pan Am Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Link: Jeter Claims Gold at 2019 Pan American Games
(This story and information provided by the University of Pittsburgh Athletics)
