Bochum, Germany — Team USA opened its men’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball campaign with a narrow 12–10 overtime victory against Brazil on Friday afternoon at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. Martrell Stevens sealed the win with a 2-point shot in the extra period after making a buzzer beater to tie the game up as the clock hit zero.

“It feels really good to start off the tournament like this,” said Ryan Fitzpatrick after the game. “Martrell just was so clutch—it really got us there.”

Brazil controlled much of the early play and built a lead before Team USA drew even late in regulation. Both sides had chances to close it out, but the 10-minute game clock expired before either team could break the deadlock.

Stevens finished with 8 points on 3-for-7 shooting from inside the arc and 2-for-7 from long range. He added 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and hit 1-of-2 free throws. His game-winning basket came just over a minute into overtime.

Fitzpatrick contributed 4 points on 4-of-9 shooting and led all players with 8 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. “Just trying to stay composed and stay calm out there,” he said. “We knew all we had to do was get a couple stops and a couple buckets. A few of them weren’t going. We had good looks—just couldn’t get it there—but we finally came through in the end.”

Joe Rafter and Jack Pierre both played key minutes off the bench. Rafter collected two rebounds, and Pierre added two defensive boards, helping Team USA finish with a 16–12 rebounding edge.

Brazil was led by João Matheus Duarte Padilha, who scored 6 points. Reyson Douglas da Silva Souza and Herus Eduardo de Quadros Ferreira added 2 points each. Brazil finished 7-for-18 on 1-point attempts, 1-for-2 from beyond the arc, and 1-for-2 at the line. Team USA also shot 7-for-18 on 1-point field goals, 2-for-7 from long range, and 1-for-2 from the stripe.

Both teams committed double-digit turnovers—USA with 12 and Brazil with 10—in a game marked by tight spacing and physical half-court play. “Yeah, I definitely expected it to be physical,” Fitzpatrick said. “But I know I’ve got to step up on my physicality in the next game.”

When asked what turned the tide in such a short game format, Fitzpatrick pointed to trust and execution. “Really just trusting one another. Yeah, and relying on the hot hand—which is Martrell.”

With one win under their belts, Team USA turns its attention to Japan, their next Pool A opponent later Friday. The victory sets a solid foundation for a tough group that includes multiple medal contenders and marks a confident first step in the team’s pursuit of the podium.