Despite a record-setting 35 points from the USA’s Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman H.S. / Las Vegas, Nev.), the World Select Team captured an 84-75 win over the USA Junior National Select Team in the Nike Hoop Summit on Saturday night at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Down by as many as 18 points in the first half, the USA fought back to take a 75-74 lead with 3:20 remaining in the game before the International squad closed on a 10-0 run to capture its fourth win and largest margin of victory in the 15-game history of the event.
A trio of double-digit scorers led the World Team. Canada’s Andrew Wiggins tallied 20 points, including six attempted 3-pointers, tying the International record. China center Wang Zhelin added 19 points, and Croatia’s Dario Saric ('94) scored 13 points to go with 14 rebounds, which tied the previous World Team high. The USA was plagued by ice-cold 35.9 percent (28-78 FGs) shooting from the field and was out done of the glass by a 57-34 margin. In fact, the World Team’s 57 rebounds established a new game high for the international squad.
"Wow, special win for us, for the World Team," said Roy Rana (Canada), head coach of the World Team. "I know it hasn’t happened too often, so anytime you get a win over the USA it’s a good feeling. I thought we got off to a tremendous start and then hung on for our lives."
-Find attached the game in Youtube.
-Recap taken from USA Basketball website.
-Photo: Sam Forencich / USA Basketball
