Team USA won its ninth gold medal at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup with a dominant 109-76 victory over Germany. However, the celebration was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the MVP award selection.
AJ Dybantsa claimed the tournament’s top individual honor despite Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. posting superior numbers in key statistical categories, sparking immediate backlash from fans and insiders.
Mikel Brown Jr.’s Statistical Dominance Makes MVP Snub Even More Puzzling
Terrence Oglesby’s social media post following the championship game revealed stark statistical differences between the two American stars. His pre-finals comparison showed Brown Jr. averaging 15.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 48.1% from two-point range, 51.4% from three-point territory, and 80% from the free-throw line.
Dybantsa’s numbers showed 14.8 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds with shooting splits of 73% from two-point range, 13.3% from three-point range, and 84.8% from the charity stripe.
I’m not quite sure how Mikel Brown Jr. didn’t win MVP.
Brown Jr: 15.3pts/6.5asts/2.2reb
48.1% 2FG – 51.4% 3FG – 80% FTDybantsa: 14.8pts/2.3ast/3.8reb
73% 2FG – 13.3% 3FG – 84.8% FT https://t.co/mS7nOX6kn5— Terrence Oglesby (@T_Oglesby22) July 6, 2025
Brown Jr. crushed the assists category with 6.5 per game compared to Dybantsa’s modest 2.3 while also maintaining superior three-point shooting efficiency at 51.4% versus a struggling 13.3%. The Louisville guard’s ability to create for teammates while knocking down shots from deep made him the most complete player throughout the tournament.
What makes the MVP selection even more questionable is Brown Jr.’s consistency from beyond the arc. While Dybantsa shot better inside the paint, basketball has evolved into a three-point game, and Brown Jr. was money from distance when it mattered most.
Including the finals performance, where Brown Jr. contributed 12 points with four assists, and Dybantsa added 11 points with two assists, the Louisville guard averaged 14.9 points and 6.1 assists per game across seven contests. Dybantsa finished with 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, clearly trailing in playmaking ability and overall impact.
Basketball Fans Unleash Fury Over Controversial MVP Decision
The MVP announcement triggered immediate criticism across social media platforms, with basketball fans expressing disbelief at the selection process. Multiple users questioned the decision-making criteria and argued that statistical production should have been the primary factor in determining the award winner.
“Mikel Brown got robbed”
Mikel Brown got robbed
— GoCards/Vikes (@GoCardsKY) July 6, 2025
“How did AJ win mvp over Mikel”
How did AJ win mvp over Mikel
— Kelsey’s Army (@Kelseys_army) July 6, 2025
“Brown not getting MVP is a travesty”
Brown not getting MVP is a travesty.
— Cards4life (@Cards4life1855) July 6, 2025
“AJ didn’t deserve it. Brown, Steinbach, Anderson, and Peat all deserved it over him”
AJ didn’t deserve it. Brown, Steinbach, Anderson, and Peat all deserved it over him
— Logan (@_LoMo_11) July 6, 2025
“Swing and a miss on MVP selection”
Swing and a miss on MVP selection.
— Cincy2929 (@Cincy2929) July 6, 2025
The reaction highlights a growing frustration among basketball fans who believe MVP awards should be based on measurable impact rather than subjective criteria. Brown Jr.’s superior assist numbers and three-point shooting made him the obvious choice for many observers who watched the tournament unfold.
The debate over Brown Jr. versus Dybantsa will likely continue as both players head to college basketball next season. For now, the numbers speak for themselves, and many believe the wrong player walked away with the tournament’s top individual honor.