JERUSALEM, Israel – Niagara men's basketball forward Sam Iorio and the Maccabi USA Open Men's Basketball team defeated France in the 2022 World Maccabi Games, 81-70, on Sunday, July 24 to win the gold medal.

This is Iorio's second gold medal, as he also competed with Team USA in the 2019 European Maccabiah Games and it is Team USA's fourth straight Open Men's Basketball gold medal.

"Being able to be a part of something so much bigger than basketball was truly special," said Iorio. "Over the past month, I was able to make lifelong friendships and connections, as well as get to live in, experience and tour almost the entire country of Israel, which is considered the holy land for the Jewish community. Having Jewish roots and everyone coming together to not only represent that, but also competing for and representing the United States, is one of the most special moments of my playing career."

Iorio added two points and four rebounds in the gold medal game, but his best performance was in a 106-70 win over Team Canada on July 21. Iorio scored 13 points, brought down six rebounds and added two steals.

Iorio played in all six games during the Maccabiah and averaged 5.5 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Team USA won all six of its games, defeating Argentina, Australia, Israel and Canada, and defeating France two times. 

The Maccabiah is an Olympics-style competition and is a celebration of Jewish unity, culture, and heritage through world athletic competition. Nearly 80 countries worldwide compete in the Maccabiah, with about 1,200 athletes from the United States competing.

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