August 25 Top Performers: Vote for your MVP
MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - There were plenty of contenders, yet Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set quite the high bar of efficiency on the opening night of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - There were plenty of contenders, yet Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set quite the high bar of efficiency on the opening night of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
In a day full of entertaining debuts nobody wowed the crowd as much as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did in Canada's 95-65 stunning effort against France. The versatile point guard made only one of his first eight field goals, but then caught on fire in the second half. SGA finished the game with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, which was good for an efficiency rating of 36.
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The legendary Patty Mills had plenty of help from his teammates in Australia's 98-72 triumph over Finland. Despite us being on Josh Giddey Triple-Double watch, it just had to be 'FIBA Patty' as the one to come out on top in regard to an efficiency rating of 26. The experienced point guard accumulated 25 points, 8 rebounds and a sneaky 4 steals.
📺 Patty Mills and Josh Giddey showed the way as Australia mauled Finland for a dominant start to their #FIBAWC 2023 campaign! #WinForAustralia 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/lQtQ1RWLbc
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Latvia captain Dairis Bertans lead his team by example in a 109-70 smashing of Lebanon, which allowed the small nation to record their first victory in their very first World Cup appearance. Bertans needed only 15 minutes to gather 20 points and 4 assists, while knocking down a sizzling hot 6-of-7 shots from deep. Latvia as a unit converted on 18-of-35 threes.
Unconscious. 🥵
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Dairis Bertans with 14 points on 4/5 from three in the first half. #FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/dWCNG9FXdt
Germany's Moritz Wagner also contributed with more points than minutes on the court in an 81-63 victory against the hosts Japan. The eldest Wagner brother had 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in only 23:37 minutes of playing time. Much of his 31 efficiency had to do with the fact that Wagner successfully scored on 8-of-9 of his 2-point attempts.
Lastly, it seemed like Nikola Vucevic was in such a groove that he would score on every shot that he threw up. The Montenegrin star made 11 of his 15 shots from the field, grabbed 10 rebounds and had 2 blocks in Montenegro's 91-71 win against Mexico. That line granted the center with a short-lived tournament-high of 35 efficiency, which was later surpassed by SGA.
So now, it's time for you to let us know. Who's your MVP of the day?
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