SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Former Santa Clara men's basketball star Henry Caruso was named Tournament MVP at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup after leading Team USA to its third consecutive championship at the event. Team USA was a perfect 5-0 for the week and defeated host Puerto Rico in Sunday's finale to claim the title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 
Making his first-ever appearance with Team USA, Caruso averaged 5.2 points per game and had the highest player value percentage of all players in the tournament at 44.6 percent. The Burlingame, Calif. native opened the tournament with five points and seven rebounds vs. Uruguay and a team-best seven points with three rebounds against Mexico in USA's two blowout victories in pool play. Caruso then tallied five points and four rebounds in their quarterfinal victory over Jamaica and once again led Team USA in both scoring and rebounding in their 21-15 victory over the Dominican Republic in the semifinal with seven points and nine boards.
 
Caruso, who averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in his lone season with Santa Clara in 2017-18, pulled down a team-best four rebounds in the championship game against Puerto Rico. He only had one field goal to his credit, but it was a huge one coming with just 1:50 left to play. The big man threw down a dunk to break a 17-17 tie and give USA their first lead since holding an 11-9 advantage midway through the contest. The dunk was part of a 5-1 run to close out the game and lift Team USA to a 21-18 victory to claim the championship title for the third straight year.
 
"It was an awesome experience," Caruso told reporters following the win. "I'm really excited and honored to win this one for USA Basketball. I want to thank all of our coaches and staff. They were awesome all week getting us prepared, getting us healthy between games. It's a lot of fun being able to come and play this tournament at the end of the season."
 
After earning MVP honors and leading Team USA to a championship title, what might be next for Caruso? Well, that's easy.  He's hoping on a flight back home to SFO to take his usual seat next to the Voice of the Broncos, Anthony Passarelli, for Wednesday evening's ESPN+ production for Santa Clara Men's Basketball vs. Kennesaw State. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.