Kamilla Cardoso and the Brazilian women’s basketball team competed against Team USA on Sunday in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Final, aiming to extend their winning momentum. Brazil had secured their place in the championship after a decisive 108-68 victory over Argentina just two days earlier. This final was a rematch of the 2023 gold medal game held in Leon, Mexico, where Brazil triumphed 69-58.
Cardoso, who plays alongside Angel Reese on the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, started strongly but quickly found herself in foul trouble, limiting her playing time. Despite her early scoring of two points, it was Damiris Dantas from the Indiana Fever who picked up the pace, contributing 10 points as Brazil struggled to maintain control.
Foul Troubles Hamper Cardoso’s Influence Through the Game
Early in the second quarter, Cardoso added six points, giving Brazil a boost as they sought to reclaim the lead against the defending champions. Yet, another foul forced coach Pokey Chatman to reduce her court time once again. Damiris Dantas continued to perform well, adding another 10 points that helped Brazil edge ahead 47-45 at halftime.
Fouls continued to restrict Cardoso’s impact in the third quarter, where she managed five points before being sidelined for the final four minutes after fouling USA’s Hannah Stuelke in the paint. Despite this, Brazil retained a narrow 66-65 advantage heading into the final quarter.
USA Capitalizes on Cardoso’s Absence in the Final Quarter
Starting the last quarter on the bench, Cardoso’s absence was felt immediately as Team USA surged ahead to a 74-69 lead. When she returned to the floor, her influence was unmistakable, displaying unmatched efficiency and effectiveness on both offense and defense. However, key clutch shots from USA guards ultimately overcame Brazil’s competitive effort.
Brazil’s Winning Streak Ends Despite Cardoso’s Strong Individual Effort
Before this game, Brazil and Kamilla Cardoso had enjoyed a remarkable 15-game winning run at the FIBA AmeriCup, including victories over Team USA in the 2023 preliminary rounds and final games. Cardoso was pivotal throughout the tournament, averaging 14.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, leading the Selecao to a flawless 6-0 record prior to the final.
In the 2025 final, her time on the court was limited to under 18 minutes due to foul trouble, but she still recorded 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. During those minutes, Brazil outscored the Americans by 16 points, underscoring her critical role. The loss marked an end to Brazil’s dominant streak and highlighted the difficulty of maintaining success in high-stakes international matchups.