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Looks like Wemba is not a shoo-in for this World Cup just yet until he gets drafted. If it's Spurs, they'll have a say to their employee if he is allowed to play this summer.
It's quite cryptic that Wemba had no mention of this summer's title and instead mentioned next year's Olympics as his "first winning title".
As a side note, Wembanyama being 19 years old is actually eligible to play for the U19 World Cup next week in Hungary.
The United States is in Group B along with Lebanon, Madagascar and Slovenia while Serbia is in Group C with Japan, Brazil and Egypt.
United States Group B Schedule
Saturday, June 24 – USA vs. Madagascar; 3:30 a.m. PT (Watch on YouTube.com/FIBA)
Sunday, June 25 – USA vs. Slovenia; 11:00 a.m. PT (Watch on YouTube.com/FIBA)
Tuesday, June 27 – USA vs. Lebanon; 6:00 a.m. PT (Watch on YouTube.com/FIBA)
This is the problem with having a guard as your MVP. Africa MVP M'madi is just dwarfed over by big US players and thus US disposed of Madagascar by more than 60 pts.
The new evolution of basketball is underway and that is taller players and that includes guards. Tall players who are smart knows that it makes sense to learn guard skills such as speed, athleticism, ballhandling and playmaking to widen the net for basketball employment. So now, we are seeing more and more 6'6+ players doing guard duties.
So if a basketball nation is smart, they should make a program of training part of their tall youths on guard skills. It shouldn't be hard. They don't need to be Curry type razzle dazzle ball handlers. The need is just to be able to rebound and if court is open, drive the ball up court or pass to open teammate right away.
Day 1 is done. Here are the guys who showed their stuff right away
USA - Tre Johnson and Mark Armstrong. If Day 1 is a preview of things to come, this is not like the U16 team that was led by the bigs. This U19 dream team is going to be led by the guards. They pass less to their bigs unlike in U16 guards who loves to pass to their bigs. Madagascar tasted its first defeat.
Spain. Izan Almansa Perez. He showed he is their best player on Day 1. Result? The rojas beat a good Canada team.
Turkey. Samet Yigitoglu and Berke Buyuktuncel. These 2 dev adams formed the 1-2 punch for Turkey on Day 1 beating the Argentinians.
France. Zacharie Perrin. The French bleus beat a good China team. While Perrin led the team, the Le Bleus show they are more balanced in their game across their roster.
Brazil. Reynan Santos and Sames Rodrigues Calderon. I know Santos is good, the USA team knows he is good. If Calderon and the other teammates could perform well, these Brazilian canocas are gonna be a challenge to the other 4 teams above.
Hungary. Peter Csataljay, Robert Meszlenyi, and Peter Hajdu. Talk about insipred first day performance by the Hungarians in their venue city of Debrecen. They beat a really good South Korea team that won gold in the Asia Cup. Watch out for Hungary!
Other winners: Slovenia beat Lebanon; Serbia beat Egypt.
USA. Tre Johnson and Tobe Awaka. The Dream Team escapes the snares of Slovenia Junakis, coming from behind with a 25-11 effort in the 4th quarter (yup USA behind by 9p entering 4th and they've been behind since the first quarter). Tre Johnson is terrific and deserves 1 spot, Dylan Harper 2 spot in the class of 2024.
Spain. Izan Almansa Perez and Lucas Hernandes Langarita. Rojas > Bleu in the battle of colors as Spain drubbed the Frenchmen who are sorely missing Victor Wembanyama.
Turkey. Berke Buyuktuncel and Samet Yigitoglu. SoKor put up a great effort keeping the game close but the Dev Adams pulled up in the 4th to win by 11p.
Hungary. Gerbely Schmera and Peter Hajdu. Hungary eked out a win beating Argentina by a solitary point. Argentina did not do themselves a favor missing 4 free throws in the last 2 minutes.
Others: Japan beats Egypt, Serbia beats Brazil (2p only), Canada beats China, Madagascar beats Lebanon
USA got a clean 3-0 slate as expected despite that huge scare from Slovenia.
Here are the top players as of today in order from best EFF:
1. Izan Almansa Perez. Spain is unbeaten and Izan has alot to do with it. Quick and tall.
2. Berke Buyuktuncel. Same thing...Turkey unbeaten and Berke is their top player.
3. Lucas Giovanetti. Argentina just got its first win, powered by Lucas over SoKor
4. Zacharie Perrin. The French top player is good enough to be 4th. He's a bruiser.
5. Belai Elshakery. Egypt may not show the wins but Belai is consistently top performing.
6. Tre Johnson. The top USA player, he shoots really well from long distance and can slash as well.
7. Ilija Milijasevic. He is the new best prospect from Serbia.
8. Lovasoa Ny Aina Andyerson Andriatsarafara. Long name and big talent from Madagascar.
9. Mathias M'madi. Another one from Madagascar. Reigning MVP of the U18 FIBA Africas
10.Melvin Ajinca. Another French who's been consistently good.
Interesting to note that Slovenia plays the most complete team basketball in the tournament. They sport 2-1 and they gave US that scare where they led by most of the game. Not 1 single player shines over the others enough to get to the Top 25 of the tournament.
For USA, the top 3 players are Tre Johnson, Tobe Awaka, and Dylan Harper.
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