The Top 10 incredible individual performances of 2019

MIES (Switzerland) - National team basketball had unforgettable individual efforts in 2019. From women's continental championships to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 to FIBA 3x3 events.

We have handpicked some of the finest displays, as we close the books on an action-packed calendar year.

Marc Gasol, Spain: World Cup Semi-Final

Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Game: Spain v Australia, Semi-Final
Location: Beijing, China
Date: September 13, 2019

Among those that have celebrated World Cup wins twice in a career is Marc Gasol. In one of his best-ever displays, one that helped Spain reach the Final at China 2019, Gasol poured in 33 points, including 29 after half-time, in a 95-88 triumph over Australia. The Semi-Final went to two overtimes. He was 8-of-8 at the free-throw line, making crucial attempts in the waning seconds of regulation and the first overtime. He also corralled 6 rebounds, handed out 4 assists and blocked 2 shots in 38 minutes and 47 seconds of action. Also a member of Spain's 2006 World Cup-winning side, the effort against the Boomers may have been his finest in the national team jersey.

Nako Motohashi, Japan: Women's Asia Cup Final

Tournament: FIBA Asia Cup Women 2019
Game: Japan v China, Final
Location: Bengaluru, India
Date: September 29, 2019

The point guard's effort in a Semi-Final win over Australia was so outstanding that few could have expected Japan's Motohashi to one day later put on a similar show against China in her team's 71-68 triumph. Motohashi, the tournament's MVP, scored 24 electrifying points. The 1.65m (5ft 5in) dynamo scored on fast breaks, on daring drives in the half court and with jump shots. When she wasn't tallying points, she was setting up teammates or harassing opponents on defense. Motohashi finished with 8 assists.

Facundo Campazzo, Argentina: World Cup Quarter-Final, Sept. 10

Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Game: Argentina v Serbia, Quarter-Final
Location: Dongguan, China
Date: September 10, 2019

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog. Campazzo, all 1.79m (5ft 10in) of him, pulled most of the strings for Argentina in one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup, a 97-87 Quarter-Final triumph over Serbia. Facu had 12 mesmerizing assists to go with his 18 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Sandrine Gruda, France: FIBA Women's EuroBasket Quarter-Final

Tournament: FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021
Game: France v Belgium, Quarter-Final
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Date: July 4, 2019

Gruda has been so good for so long in her successful national team career that one might think she'd ease up a little? No chance! She reminded everyone, just nine days after celebrating her 32nd birthday, of how dominant her game still is with 33 points and 10 rebounds in an 84-80 OT win over Belgium.

Michael Hicks, Poland: 3x3 World Cup, June 23

Tournament: FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2019
Game: Poland v Serbia, Third-Place Game
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date: June 23, 2019

Hicks jolted the 3x3 world when he drilled an off-balance winner with three seconds left for a 18-15 Polish Third-Place Game victory over the Serbia superstars of Dusan Bulut, Marko Savic, Dejan Majstorovic and Mihailo Vasic. Hicks was sensational, scoring 13 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.The win didn't just get Poland to the podium. It put the country in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

David Huertas, Puerto Rico: World Cup First Round

Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Game: Puerto Rico v Iran, Group Phase
Location: Dongguan, China
Date: August 31, 2019

Some performances are pure magic. Huertas' 32-point effort in a spine-tingling 83-81 victory over Iran on the opening night of the World Cup certainly was. Huertas hit dramatic shot after dramatic shot and ended up 5-of-7 from three-point range as the Boricuas fought back from a 70-53 deficit with 8:25 remaining to stun Iran, a result that helped the team from the Americas advance to the Second Round.

Temi Fagbenle, Great Britain: FIBA Women's EuroBasket Quarter-Final

Tournament: FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021
Game: Great Britain v Hungary, Quarter-Final
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Date: July 4, 2019

Fagbenle put the unheralded Brits on her back and carried them to a top-four finish and a spot in the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In her remarkable FIBA Women's EuroBasket , the British center showed plenty of skill. She had her most significant effort in the last eight against Hungary, dazzling with 29 points. She often had to create her own shot, too, with the shot clock winding down, yet always remained cool, calm and collected. Fagbenle also had 8 rebounds and a couple of blocks. 

Soraya Mohamed, Egypt: 3x3 African Cup

Tournament: FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2019
Game: Egypt v Benin, Pool 
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Date: November 9, 2019

Soraya didn't just light up the FIBA Women's AfroBasket in Senegal, a few months later the Egyptian put on a dazzling display at the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup in Uganda with an eye-popping 16 points, including five two-pointers, in her team's 21-15 triumph over Benin. Egypt would go on to capture the title and Soraya was named MVP of the event.

Andray Blatche, Philippines: Asian Qualifiers

Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers
Game: Philippines v Kazakhstan, Second Round
Location: Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Date: February 24, 2019

Gilas went into their last Qualifier for the World Cup needing a win at Kazakhstan to ensure their presence at the big event in China. Blatche didn't want to take any chances. He turned up the heat inside the Astana Arena with 41 points, including 15 that came on 5-of-10 shooting from deep. Blatche also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, came up with 4 steals and swatted 2 shots.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece - World Cup First Round

Tournament: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
Game: Greece v New Zealand, First Round
Location: Nanjing, China
Date: September 5, 2019

In every game he plays, Giannis Antetokounmpo is worth the price of admission. Surely no one in New Zealand would disagree after watching the reigning NBA MVP score 24 points, haul down 10 rebounds, hand out 6 assists and come up with 2 steals to lead Greece to a 103-97 triumph over the Tall Blacks at the World Cup. 

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