Jayson Tatum Annihilates Greek Defender With Poster Dunk, Then Gets Blocked at the Rim by Croatia in Gold-Medal Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA4vwEiVqiE Jayson Tatum made his presence felt on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA4vwEiVqiE Jayson Tatum made his presence felt on
Facing its toughest game of the tournament, the United States defended its U19 world title with a 79-71 overtime victory over Croatia in the gold-medal game of the FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Greece.
One day after dropping 30 points on the Greeks in the semifinals, Villanova freshman Jalen Brunson went for 14 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and no turnovers to earn tournament MVP honors.
“I’m speechless,” Brunson said. “I’ve got to give credit to my teammates. They found me the right positions to just make plays. I just can’t thank everybody enough. We worked so hard for this.”
By JOSH NEWMAN
Facing its stiffest test of the FIBA Under-19 World Championship against Greece on Saturday, the United States overcame not only the opponent, but a hostile road atmosphere for an 82-76 semifinal win and a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game.
Villanova freshman Jalen Brunson was outstanding for the Americans, finishing with a game-high 30 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the field and 10-for-12 from the foul line. He led four players in double figures as 2016 star forward Harry Giles had 13, while Terrance Ferguson and Josh Jackson each had 11.
The United States, the reigning world champion at the U-18 and U-19 levels, will play Croatia for the gold medal on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Americans registered a 103-81 in group play on Sunday over Croatia, which is playing this tournament without projected top-5 2016 draft pick Dragan Bender. The 7-foot-1, 17-year-old professional is sitting out due to a sneaker dispute.
As expected on Saturday, Alterique Gilbert, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Lithonia (GA) Miller Grove, committed to UConn.
Gilbert, ranked the No. 6 point guard in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports.com, also considered Syracuse, Illinois, Texas and Louisville, but only visited UConn.
“I love the relationship me and coach [Kevin] Ollie have, and my mom as well,” Gilbert told ESPN.com. “My reasoning for the commitment is me being comfortable with the whole situation. I just decided to take the best thing for me and my family. We just came to a conclusion together that it would be the best fit for me.”
UConn has Seton Hall transfer Sterling Gibbs coming in for this coming season only, along with freshman point guard Jalen Adams, meaning Gilbert can play alongside Adams in 2016.
By JOSH NEWMAN
The Canadian national team has a history of having its best players play up at the senior level at a young age. For example, Leo Rautins made his senior national team debut in 1977 at just 16, while Steve Nash made his debut in 1993 at 19.
With that history acting as the backdrop to a critical summer that will culminate with the FIBA Americas Championship next month, Canada is getting ready to do the same thing with two of its brightest young stars. Canada released its training camp roster for the Pan American Games on Friday morning with Kentucky freshman point guard Jamal Murray and Oregon sophomore wing Dillon Brooks on it.
This is not an accident, nor is it merely a reward for being good players. Murray and Brooks are part of the next wave of Canadian stars and both are expected to be key pieces on future national teams. That said, the teenagers are getting a jump on their experience later this month at Pan Am, which will be contested in Toronto.
“I think it’s huge because we’ve had a history of young players representing Canada,” Canada head coach Jay Triano, a Trail Blazers assistant, said on a conference call Friday morning. “I think the sooner we get them involved with our national team programs, it really helps in their development as players, but it really helps in their passion for wanting to represent their country. That’s the thought behind this.”
The United States U19 team rolled into
By JOSH NEWMAN
With the Pan American Games being held in Toronto later this month, plus next month’s FIBA Americas Championship deciding who goes to the 2016 Rio Olympics, this is a crucial summer for the Canadian National Team.
There was hope that the country’s biggest names like Andrew Wiggins and Tristan Thompson would opt to play at Pan Am, but that will not be the case.
Highlighted by Kentucky freshman point guard sensation Jamal Murray, Gonzaga senior standout Kyle Wiltjer and 2013 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, Canada released its training camp roster for the Pan Am Games on Friday morning.
“We’ve got a great mix of veteran players and some young players that are going to get introduced to the senior national team,” Canada head coach Jay Triano, who is also a Trail Blazers assistant, said on a conference call after the roster was announced. “It’ll be great to have some of our veteran players play in their own city and own country, some of our younger players be introduced to the senior national team by playing in Canada.”
