September 2 Top Performers: Jones, Clarkson, Markkanen, Delany and Mahmoud

MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - We say goodbye to a couple of regular Top Performers as they went out of their way to close out their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with unbelievable performances.

South Sudan guard Carlik Jones started the World Cup with a game of 40 efficiency and now he ends the World Cup with 40 efficiency. Only this time around it came in a 101-78 win over Angola that granted South Sudan a spot in Paris 2024, while Jones wrote his name in the history books by tying the legendary Toni Kukoc for the all-time single game mark of assists made. Just to repeat it one more time, Jones registered 26 points, 15 assists and 7 rebounds. His third straight game of 10+ assists gave him another record, by the way.

Years from now people will say that you just had to be there. It seemed like an ordinary performance by Jordan Clarkson until he went 'en fuego' in what turned out to be a 92-73 win by the Philippines against China. Furthermore, it was a much tighter game before Clarkson figured that he might as well have a 24-point third quarter. Final numbers? Oh, you know, just 34 points, 3 assists and 5-of-10 shooting from deep on some very difficult looks. Just check out the highlights to be in awe!

Lauri Markkanen was another star to end his World Cup 2023 on a high note. Finland were appreciative of their leader's effort in their 90-75 triumph against Venezuela. The power forward needed only 24 minutes of playing time for his 32 points, 9 rebounds and 11-of-12 shooting from the free throw line. Moreover, 9 of his points came during the crucial fourth quarter run that helped Finland run away from their opponent.

Finn Delany had been scoring in the double-digits all World Cup long, but he did just something extra for New Zealand's 88-86 affair against Egypt. The Kiwi forward accumulated 27 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals, however, the main story of his performance was 8-of-12 shooting from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. There were a couple of his usual shots from deep, however, Delany sprinkled in just enough aggressive drives to get extra buckets in the paint.

Anas Mahmoud was on the Egypt team that came up short against New Zealand. However, him and his team definitely went all out in their pursuit of Paris 2024, with Mahmoud being one of the players to give it one more push in the fourth quarter with 8 invaluable points. The Egypt forward was good for 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, all the while converting 8-of-9 shots from the field.

Who did you like the most on September 2?

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