LUBLIN, POLAND - The USA U21 Men's Deaf Basketball Team captured the silver medal at the 2026 U21 World Deaf Basketball Championships, held June 5-13 in Lublin, Poland.
The United States roster featured several Gallaudet University student-athletes and alumni, who helped lead Team USA to a runner-up finish. Seven countries competed in the men's tournament: Argentina, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the United States. Ukraine won the gold medal, while Argentina claimed the bronze medal after defeating Poland.
Team USA went undefeated in pool play to earn the top seed in Pool A and advanced to the championship game. In a thrilling gold medal contest, the United States fell just short to Ukraine, 90-88, to finish with the silver medal.
The men's team included current Gallaudet students
Nabhi Abbushi (Fairfield, Calif.),
Elijah Fabela (Ceres, Calif.),
Luke Florio (St. Augustine, Fla.),
Tahoe Herzig-Wilcox (Frederick, Md.),
Jayden Orsi-Pedersen (Frederick, Md.),
Zeke Ortiz (Frederick, Md.),
Alex Ortman (Norway, Mich.) and
Darius Zarembka (Riverside, Calif.).
The coaching staff was led by Gallaudet alumnus head coach
Steve Valencia-Biskupiak, '20, as head coach, and included current Gallaudet student
Zion Ortiz as an assistant coach.
Zeke Ortiz was selected to the Best Five all-tournament team.
Team USA has won four gold medals at the Deaf World Championships (2010, '14, '18, '24) and now one silver medal (2026).
"Representing Team USA at the U21 World Deaf Championship in Lublin, Poland was an unforgettable experience," said
Zeke Ortiz. "Finishing with the silver medal wasn't the result we were hoping for, and it definitely hit us hard because we believed we could win it all. The overall experience was bigger than the final score as it gave me joy, motivation, lifelong memories and made me and my teammates even more determined to keep improving. I'm proud to have represented my country and I can't wait for what's next."
Team USA Results
06/13: Ukraine 79, USA 62 (Gold Medal) |
Box Score
06/11: USA 83, Argentina 51 (Semifinal) |
Box Score
06/07: USA 68, Italy 56 |
Box Score
06/06: USA 78, Kenya 20 |
Box Score
06/05: USA 79, Lithuania 48 |
Box Score
The next international competition for the Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) will be the 2027 World Deaf Basketball Championships, scheduled for June 8-19 in Pescara, Italy.
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