Rasheed Sulaimon via the McDonald's Corporation

Duke incoming freshman Rasheed Sulaimon helped the USA U18 Men’s basketball team win a gold medal at the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. He scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, as the US beat Brazil, 81-56.

Every game for the US was a blowout, as they won every game by no less than 19 points. Sulaimon averaged ten points over five games (an average of twenty minutes). He also shot 54.1% from the field in the tournament.

This year’s gold medal is the US’s sixth in eight championships (43-2). Winning the gold means they qualified for the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship.

Here is what Sulaimon had to say following the victory:

“Oh man, I’m speechless right now,” Sulaimon said after the victory. “We worked so hard for this, since June 5, and to have all these guys come together, find chemistry and really play for our country and for all our hard work to pay off and get a gold medal it’s great. Like I said, I’m lost for words; I’m blessed; I’m honored; I’m proud to be an American; I’m everything – it’s just a great feeling.”