The USA Junior Team defeated New Zealand 99-72 in the opening round of the FIBA World Cup on Saturday in Manila, Philippines.
Six USA players scored in double figures Orlando Magic NBA Rookie of the Year forward Paulo Banchero finished with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also blocked four shots and grabbed four rebounds.
The United States opened the game slowly, trailing by 10 points in the first five minutes. Benchero sparked off the bench, but was substituted when he came on in the sixth minute. Brandon Ingram. The USA went 8-0 from that point on with 6 points from Benchero.
Los Angeles Lakers Guard Austin Reeves At the end of the first quarter, he hit a 3-pointer to give America its first lead of the game.
Both teams traded buckets for most of the second quarter until the USA pulled away with plenty of free throws. The U.S. went into halftime with a 45-36 lead and went on a roll the rest of the game.
Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Anthony Edwards led the rest of the USA team with 14 points and seven rebounds in the win. Reeves and Memphis Grizzlies Forward Jaren Jackson Jr Both scored 12 points with six assists from Reaves and four rebounds from Jackson. Indiana Pacers Guard Tyrese Halliburton And New York Knicks Guard Jalen Branson Both got 10 points.
The United States will play Greece on Monday. Greece will be without Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had previously announced that he would miss the FIBA World Cup After off-season knee surgery.