Udine, Italy – The U19 World Championships are in full swing with pool play complete and bracket play starting today, July 26th.  The completion of pool play saw the United States advance unbeaten in their pool while Canada, Russia, and Japan also advanced out of their pools unbeaten.  The surprise of the event so far has to be Japan’s upset over Australia on the opening day.  As we advance from pool play to the bracket of 16, here is a look at some news and notes from pool play.  

The Emergence of Crystal Dangerfield 
One of the major takeaways from team USA’s scrimmages and their opening round games in their pool is the leadership role that Connecticut point guard Crystal Dangerfield has taken accepted. Through three games, Dangerfield is averaging 10.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, all while averaging a plus/minus rate of 24.7, a staggering number that shows a high level of impact on Team USA’s success. Dangerfield leads team USA in assists while ranking fourth overall in the category.  

Ace Konig’s Night
Canadian guard Ace Konig who plays her college basketball at North Carolina State, broke a U19 record connecting on 10 three-point field goals on her way to a 32-point game including a game winner to help Canada beat Latvia and escape their pool undefeated headed into bracket play.  

News and Notes 

The way the bracket is set up, it appears the United States will eventually play the winner of a Canada vs. Australia semifinal match-up with team USA potentially playing Japan, Italy, or Spain in the semifinals.