Zagars shatters assist record with 17 dimes

MANILA (Philippines) - Arturs Zagars etched his names in the history books as the Latvian point guard dished out 17 assists to break the all-time single game record at at a FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Zagars scored 4 points but tallied double-digit assists for the second time in the 2023 World Cup in a 98-63 win over Lithuania to take fifth place. And 0 turnover. Yes. Zero.

 

17: Arturs Zagars LAT v LTU 2023
15: Toni Kukoc CRO vs CHN 1994
15: Carlik Jones SSD vs ANG 2023
14: Xane Dalmeida SEN v PHI 2014
14: Carlik Jones SSD v PHI 2023
14: Paul Stoll MEX v EGY 2023
13: Scottie Wilbekin TUR v MNE 2019
13: Tomas Saturansky CZE v AUS 2019
13: Stefan Jovic SRB v SSD 2023
12: Done seven times in World Cup history

Assist number 16 came on a drive and dish to Anzejs Pasecniks with 3:11 minutes in the game.

"Those are some big names. This is the World Cup, the highest stage you can play every four years. This is my first experience with the national team in any kind of tournament. I am so thankful that we could do this," said Zagars.

The playmaker did not commit a turnover, becoming the first player to end a FIBA World Cup game with 12+ assists while never turning the ball over.

"Everybody in basketball knows that is something unbelievable. He’s such a talented guy and I hope he keeps going up," said Arturs Kurucs, who grew up playing with Zagars in the Latvian youth national teams including reaching the Final of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2018.

"Just because of him I was the top scorer of the team. He’s an amazing player, amazing driver, finds the passes. I am so proud of my brother," added Kurucs, who scored 20 points.

 The 23-year-old Zagars surpassed the previous record of 15 assists, which was first done by Croatian Toni Kukoc against China at the 1994 World Cup, which was the first edition where assists were recorded.

South Sudan's Carlik Jones evened Kukoc's mark in the African country's final game of the 2023 World Cup against Angola.

Zagars has been outstanding all tournament for the World Cup debutants, averaging 7.4 in his first appearance on the senior global stage. 

"Unbelievable - he had an amazing tournament even before this game. Just to finish it off with an unbelievable performance as the point guard and getting that many assists. He was more successful at the beginning of the tournament scoring wise and still getting everybody else involved. Tonight he was just feeding everybody," said NBA forward Davis Bertans.

Only Ricky Rubio (82) dished out more assists than Zagars' total of 59 in the FIBA World Cup before turning 24 years old.

"For us, that was the cherry on the top of the cake after the tournament we had. For him to finish with the assists record, it’s unbelievable. I’m so happy for him," captain Dairis Bertans added.

 Zagars had been dishing out assists an amazing rate through midway in the third quarter. His 14th assist in the third quarter came in just his 19th minute of the game - for an assist-per-40 minutes ratio of 29 assists.

Zagars came into the World Cup without a contract, hoping his performance would land him a better contract. And the gamble will likely pay off.

FIBA