Jahlil Okafor and Stanley Johnson helped lead the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s U17 World Championship Team (4-0) to a 86-50 rout of France (1-3) on Tuesday night at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 forward from Mater Dei (Calif)., contributed 12 points and 10 boards and Okafor, out of Chicago Whitney Young, posted game-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Conner Frankamp (Wichita North H.S. / Wichita, Kan.) scored 12 points; while Justise Winslow (St. John’s School / Houston, Texas) hauled in 10 boards, seven on the offensive end, and tied a FIBA U17 World Championship record for steals with seven.
“I just wanted to be super aggressive on the offensive boards and on the defensive boards,” said Okafor, who had seven offensive rebounds. “Because when Jabari’s (Parker) out, it puts much more pressure on me.”
The Americans, who are assured of advancing to the quarterfinals, will close preliminary play against China (3-1) today at 1:25 EST. The top four finishing teams from each group will advance to the medal round with the quarterfinals staged on July 6, the semifinals on July 7 and the finals on July 8.
For features on Okafor, Stanley Johnson, Dakari Johnson, and Tyus Jones and recruiting updates on them, click here.
Photo, Release: USA Basketball
