USC’s Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith Win Gold At FIBA U18 AmeriCup
June 24, 2024 | Women's Basketball
Incoming freshmen shined with Team USA throughout the tournament.
Representing the United States, USC incoming freshmen Kayleigh Heckel and Kennedy Smith teamed up to help Team USA win gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Colombia, keeping alive and well the U.S. streak of titles at the event. The pair combined for 31 points in the final game as the USA won its 11th straight gold with an 80-69 victory over Canada.
A 5-9 guard out of Port Chester, N.Y., Heckel averaged 12.8 points per game along with 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as Team USA went undefeated in AmeriCup action.
A 6-1 guard hailing from Chino, Calif., Smith led Team USA with 18 points in the gold-medal game, including a solo six-point scoring surge that helped build a key late lead for the U.S. squad. She'd finish out the event having averaged 7.8 point. 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Both McDonald's All-Americans, Heckel and Smith are two members of USC's top-ranked freshman class who will join forces with their fellow Women of Troy for the coming 2024-25 campaign under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
A 5-9 guard out of Port Chester, N.Y., Heckel averaged 12.8 points per game along with 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game as Team USA went undefeated in AmeriCup action.
A 6-1 guard hailing from Chino, Calif., Smith led Team USA with 18 points in the gold-medal game, including a solo six-point scoring surge that helped build a key late lead for the U.S. squad. She'd finish out the event having averaged 7.8 point. 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Both McDonald's All-Americans, Heckel and Smith are two members of USC's top-ranked freshman class who will join forces with their fellow Women of Troy for the coming 2024-25 campaign under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
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