TORONTO, CANADA – For the second consecutive day, Team USA was defeated in pool play at the U23 Men’s World Championships at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Team USA faced off with Germany, the 2013 U23 World Champions, this afternoon, and were unable to get momentum, losing 75-51. After the first two days, the U.S. Men’s U23 Team is 0-2 overall in pool play.

The first half, the United States was within striking distance down 12 at the half, 38-26. The second half, Germany was stingy on defense only allowing the United States to score eight points. This allowed a surge by the Germans who appeared back in World Championship form with a 24-point victory.

Leading the way for Team USA was Kyle Gribble of Elmhust, Illinois, with 18 points, and Marshall Lindsay of Stansbury Park, Utah, with 14 points. Also contributing were Jeromie Meyer of Woodbine, Iowa, with 12 points and 4 assists, while Fabian Romo scored four points, and snagged six rebounds.

Germany had four athletes in double digits scoring on the day, led by Mattias Guntner with 17 points; Leon Schoneberg with 16 points; Marvin Malsy with 12 points; and Nico Dreimuller with 11 points.

Overall, Germany shot 63 percent from the floor, with the United States at 53 percent.

Up next, the United States will tip-off on Saturday against France at 8 a.m. EDST.

U.S. Paralympic medalist Jeremy Lade of Whitewater, Wisconsin, is serving as head coach and this is his first international coaching assignment. Joining Lade on the sidelines are assistant coaches Christian Burkett of Seattle, Washington, and Scott Meyer of Columbia, Missouri. Kelly Fischbach will serve as the Team Leader, with Mike Lenser of Whitewater, Wisconsin working at the athletic trainer.

The United States was drawn into Pool B for the 12-team World Championships. Quarterfinals for the World Championships is slated for June 14, followed by 5th-10th place games and semi-finals on June 15. The gold and bronze medal games scheduled for June 16.

The U23 men’s wheelchair basketball program is an international development team that serves as NWBA pipeline to the U.S. Men’s National Team. This program provides elite youth athletes the opportunity to compete at the international level. Team USA has reached the championship game in three of the last five U23 World Championships, having won in 2005 and 2009. The United States claimed a bronze medal in 2001, and did not participate in 2013. 

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Results

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16

Pool Play

Great Britain def. USA, 87-50

Germany def. USA, 75-51

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Schedule

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16 (All Times EDST / Home Team Listed Last)

June 10 at 8 a.m.

France vs. USA

June 11 at 12 p.m.

USA vs. Japan

June 12 at 12 p.m.

South Africa vs. USA

June 14

11th/12th Place Game at 10 a.m.

Quarterfinals at 12 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 8 p.m.

June 15

9th/10th Place Game at 10 a.m.

7th/8th Place Game at 12 p.m.

5th/6th Place Game at 3 p.m.

Semi-Finals at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

June 16

Bronze Medal Game at 10 a.m.

Gold Medal Game at 12 p.m.

2017 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championships Pools

Toronto, Canada, June 8-16

Pool A: Turkey, Iran, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Italy

Pool B: Great Britain, Japan, United States, France, South Africa, Germany