Another day of quality hoops is in the books at the men’s FIBA World Cup.
It was undoubtedly Africa’s day as South Sudan, Cape Verde and Ivory Coast all came away with victories. There weren’t any major upsets as all the big teams featuring the U.S., Spain, Serbia and Slovenia came away with victories.
Four days into the tournament, we now have eight teams that have clinched places in the next round, with eight more to fight for.
Here’s everything you need to know from Day 4 at the FIBA World Cup:
RESULTS
Group B
South Sudan def. China 89-69
Serbia def. Puerto Rico 94-77
Group C
New Zealand def. Jordan 95-87 (OT)
USA def. Greece 109-81
Group F
Cape Verde def. Venezuela 81-75
Slovenia def. Georgia 88-67
Group G
Ivory Coast def. Iran 71-69
Spain def. Brazil 96-78
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Day to remember for Africa
South Sudan was thoroughly impressive in winning 11 of 12 African qualifiers to get to the World Cup. After losing a heartbreaker in overtime to Puerto Rico, it romped to the nation’s first-ever men’s FIBA World Cup victory courtesy a second-half surge against China.
G League MVP Carlik Jones was tremendous again for the Bright Stars, following up his 35-point outburst against Puerto Rico with 21 points and six assists. Despite the win, South Sudan now faces the unenviable task of trying to stay alive in the competition against podium contender Serbia.
Also worth noting, 16-year-old Khaman Maluach became the youngest player in the history of the tournament. He’s a 7-foot-2 centre from the NBA Academy Africa.
Cape Verde, the smallest nation to participate in the tournament, also clinched its first-ever men’s FIBA World Cup win by defeating Venezuela 81-75.
A nation of 600,000 people, they will be forever grateful to the likes of Betinho Gomes, Will and Edy Tavares, as well as Ivan Almeida, who were tremendous in the win. Trailing by 13 at halftime and seven entering the fourth quarter, Cape Verde stifled the Venezuela offence and limited it to just nine points. Will Tavares scored eight points in the fourth to inspire the comeback victory.
If that wasn’t enough, Ivory Coast also picked up a win by edging Iran. Guard Nisre Zouzoua led the team with 17 points.
Group favourites handle their business
Serbia continues to show that it is going to be a force to reckon with, even without two-time MVP and reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. After defeating China by 42, the Serbians won what was their toughest game on paper in this group against Puerto Rico by 17.
Now led by Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, they also have the Miami Heat’s Jovic, while Nikola Milutnov has been a load to deal with inside.
Slovenia was expected to be challenged by Georgia but Luka Doncic wasn’t having any of it. He was magnificent once again, with 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a blowout victory.
Team USA also comfortably handled its most difficult matchup of this first group phase, defeating Greece by 28. Austin Reaves shone with 15 points, five rebounds and six assists.
In the final game of the day, Spain put in a workmanlike performance to dispatch Brazil. After Brazil hung around trailing by just five after three quarters, the defending World Cup champions dominated the fourth quarter 32-19 to come away with the victory.
Former Raptor Bruno Caboclo finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Next round taking shape
Teams that have clinched places in the next group phase:
Serbia, U.S.A., Lithuania, Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Canada, Latvia.
Eight spots remain, with the Dominican Republic and Germany very close to sealing qualification as they have two wins in two games.
Canada and Latvia will merge with Spain and either Brazil or Ivory Coast to the next group phase.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Trailing by four to New Zealand with just over 15 seconds remaining, former Raptor Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hit this dramatic three-pointer, plus the foul for Jordan to force overtime:
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Cape Verde has no reason to stop the celebrations after winning its first-ever men’s FIBA World Cup game, and here are the players after arriving back at their hotel in Okinawa:
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“I believe we deserved to win this game, and until the last call, everything was mutual and everything was normal. Unfortunately, for me, (the) referees decided this game, not the players, not the teams.” – Iran head coach Hakan Demir
“It’s a dream come true. People don’t understand where we were two years ago. To be able to do this in front of our fans, people watching back at home, this has been a very emotional day for everyone.” – South Sudan player Nuni Omot
“I’m still speechless, I feel like I’m in a dream right now. But the win was so big for us and our country, our families, (to) just make a statement that even though we’re the smallest country, we have so much heart and we play hard.” – Cape Verde player Will Tavares
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jordan
In case you’ve missed it, Hollis-Jefferson has been playing for Jordan and doing his best Kobe Bryant impersonation. He’s shaved his head, is wearing the No. 24 as well as an armband, and on this day dropped 39 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists to push New Zealand into overtime.
These are his “Lefty Kobe” highlights from earlier against Greece:
2. Luka Doncic, Slovenia
Different uniform, same Luka. Doncic was in full control throughout this game, and although he’s bound to feel the absence of Goran Dragic in more difficult games, it’s been a thrill watching the Mavs superstar explore his bag of tricks through two games. And 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists isn’t too shabby for a day’s work.
3. Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa, New Zealand
While Hollis-Jefferson stole the show in this overtime thriller in Manila, it was Mauriohooho-Le’afa who proved the ultimate difference maker with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, including four 3-pointers. His performance was critical in keeping New Zealand’s hopes of advancing in this World Cup alive going into its final group game against Greece.
LOOKING AHEAD
Tuesday at the FIBA World Cup has plenty on the line as Groups A, D, E and H conclude with a final round of games.
Lithuania and Jonas Valanciunas will battle Montenegro and Nikola Vucevic for first place in Group D at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT; both have already clinched spots in the next round. Group E has it all to play for as Germany contests Finland at 3:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. PT and Japan hosts Australia at 7:10 a.m. ET / 4:10 a.m. PT.
Canada will also wrap up play in this initial phase, needing a win over Latvia at 9:30 a.m. ET / 6:30 a.m. PT to secure first place in Group H.
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