Team USA Clicking at World Cup 🇺🇸

08/29/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

USA Thrashes Greece (109-81) to Win Group Stage (2-0), Advance to 2nd Round

Make it 2-0 for Team USA! The FIBA World Cup tipped off from Asia over the weekend with group play, and the USA is off to a hot start. They handled New Zealand (99-72) in Game 1 before trouncing Greece (109-81) on Monday morning. It’s not the “Dream Team” of the past, consisting of the NBA’s highest-profile stars, but a young group of players with a heightened competitiveness is still exciting. Paolo Banchero led the way in Game 1 with 21 points in a big burst, but Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves have been the stars of the show. Both ANT (27 points) and AR15 (27 points) have been great for Team USA. The roster runs 12-deep with 11 players getting relatively even minutes in the early stages. We’ll see if head coach Steve Kerr shifts the game plan in tighter competitions. Here’s a look at the lineup and production through two contests.

 

 Team USA Stat Leaders (2 Games)

F Paolo Banchero: 29 points, 7 rebs (33 min)

G Austin Reaves: 27 pts, 7 rebs, 12 asts (39 min)

G Anthony Edwards: 27 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts (44 min)

G Jalen Brunson: 23 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts (43 min)

F Jaren Jackson Jr.: 21 pts, 7 rebs (33 min)

G Tyrese Haliburton: 19 pts, 6 rebs, 6 asts (38 min)

 

Rest of Team USA Roster: F Mikal Bridges, F Brandon Ingram, G Josh Hart, G Cameron Johnson, F Bobby Portis, F Walker Kessler

 

Watch: Team USA Cruises Past Greece (109-81)

 

Group C Standings

1.  USA (2-0) | +55 PD | 4 Points

2.  Greece (1-1) | -7 PD | 3 Points

3.  New Zealand (1-1) | -19 PD | 3 Points

4.  Jordan (0-2) | -29 PD | 2 Points

 

Final Group Stage Game

USA vs. Jordan (Wed. 4:40 am ET)

*Team USA Advances to 2nd Round Regardless of W/L

 

Read More

B/R: Lakers’ Austin Reaves Getting Fan Hype as Team USA Routs Greece

SI: Luka Doncic (34-10-6) ‘Electric’ in Slovenia’s Blowout Over Georgia

 

Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images