Colben Landrew delivered multiple strong performances for Team USA in the 2026 FIBA U-18 Men’s AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico last week, leading the team in scoring on their path to a silver medal.
The incoming UConn freshman averaged 11.6 PPG in the five games played, shooting 52 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc. Landrew scored in double figures in three out of the five games, including a high of 18 points in the semifinal win on Saturday against Brazil.
In the championship game, Landrew played 30 minutes, scoring eight points and grabbing eight rebounds while the US was stunned by Canada 67-65, ending a streak of seven straight gold medals in the event for Team USA.
The 6’6” wing showed off his versatility and skills that he’s expected to bring to Storrs next season as someone fighting for playing time on the perimeter. After his high school season, Landrew earned Cobb County as well as Gatorade and MaxPreps’ state player of the year honors in Georgia.
Landrew also led Team USA in minutes per game with 22, garnering the trust of Anthony Grant , Nate Oats, and the rest of the coaching staff of Division I coaches. Other notable names on the roster include Bruce Branch III (BYU signee), Caleb Gaskins (Miami FL), Quentin Coleman (Illinois), and Taylen Kinney (Kansas), some of the other highly-rated players in the 247sports 2026 rankings.
With UConn losing Jaylin Stewart to the transfer portal and Solo Ball to wrist surgery, there are certainly minutes to be had at the 2 and 3 on the wing. Landrew is expected to fill a big part of that void, along with returners Braylon Mullins and Jayden Ross and newcomers Nik Khamenia and Nils Machowski.
If his play against some of the top talent in his age group showed us anything, we’re in for a treat when he gets to Storrs.
