Carlik Jones ties Kukoc for two World Cup assist records

MANILA (Philippines) - South Sudan have been making history throughout the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 so it only seems fitting that their point guard Carlik Jones tied the great Toni Kukoc for two World Cup assist records.

In South Sudan's final game of their first World Cup, the 25-year-old Jones poured in 26 points, snatched 7 rebounds and dished out 15 assists. It was the second straight game Jones flirted with a triple-double after tallying 17 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists against Philippines two days earlier.

Jones tied the all-time single game mark with 15 assists, evening the record set by Kukoc in 1994 against China. The former legend Kukoc has served as an advisor with the Chicago Bulls, with whom Jones played.

Jones collected 11 assists in South Sudan's opening loss to Puerto Rico and had 14 assists in his country's last win over Philippines. With his 15 assists against Angola, Jones tied Kukoc as just the second player with 10 or more assists in three games of a single World Cup. Kukoc achieved the feat in 1994.

Advisory: Updating this article with corrected information.

FIBA