Ortiz, Team USA Win U19 World Championship

NORMAN — Oklahoma rising sophomore guard Gabbi Ortiz and the 2015 USA Women's U19 World Championship Team claimed the gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship on Sunday, defeating Russia by a score of 78-70 in Chekhov, Russia.

For the event, Team USA went a perfect 7-0 en route to its sixth consecutive gold medal at the U19 Worlds. In the finals, Ortiz recorded two rebounds and two assists. Ortiz, who started all seven games, averaged 2.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 19.1 minutes per game.

"Not many can say that they are blessed to play the game that they love, with a great team, for the country they love," Ortiz said. "And winning the gold medal is a great way to end this awesome month with USA basketball."

Ortiz was the third player to represent Oklahoma on the USA Women's U19 World Championship Team, joining Aaryn Ellenberg (2011) and Danielle Robinson (2007).

Joining Ortiz on the 12-member squad were Kristine Angiwe (Desert Vista H.S.); Napheesa Collier (Incarnate Word Academy); Lauren Cox (Flower Mound H.S.); Crystal Dangerfield (Blackman H.S.); Mariya Moore (Louisville); Ali Patberg (Columbus North H.S.); Destiny Slocum (Moutain View H.S.); Azura Stevens (Duke); Shakayla Thomas (Florida State); Chatrice White (Illinois); and A'ja Wilson (South Carolina).

South Carolina's Dawn Staley served as head coach of the team, and assisting her were collegiate head coaches Kim Barnes Arico of the University of Michigan and Jeff Walz of the University of Louisville.

First held in 1985 and known as the FIBA Junior World Championship through 2001, the U19 World Championship features the world's top players who are 19 years old or younger. Held every four years through 2005, FIBA now holds U19 World Championships every two years.