By ADAM ZAGORIA
ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO — Kentucky-bound guard Tyrese Maxey turned his right ankle during Team USA’s 115-71 victory over Puerto Rico on Tuesday night and remains questionable for the remainder of the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
“We play our best when we have Tyrese out there a good percentage of the time, and he’ll be missed,” Team USA and Kansas coach Bill Self said.
The U.S. completed pool play at 3-0 and has Wednesday off before the quarterfinals on Thursday. The semis and final run Friday and Saturday.
“He turned his ankle so nothing structural but he’ll get treatment the next couple of days and hopefully he’ll be able to go,” Self said. “But we won’t push it if he’s not ready. There’s no reason to put him out there. But he could be out for the remainder of the tournament, or he could be a guy that could play possibly Friday and Saturday. We don’t know yet.”
Self added: “We’re better with him in the game. He knows how to play and certainly he can make the game easier for others.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari and assistant Tony Barbee were on hand for Maxey Monday, and Barbee was here Tuesday. For more on Maxey, read this.
Team USA handles Puerto Rico 115-71. Quarterfinals next up Thursday after a 3-0 record in pool play. pic.twitter.com/VBedoB489k
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) June 12, 2018
