ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - The group stage of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 finished off with United States showing off an impressive record-setting form to remain undefeated while France finally won a game; Spain, Australia and New Zealand claimed first place in their respective groups; and Türkiye's Kaan Onat poured in 32 points as the Round of 16 is set.
USA in record-setting mood in blowout of China
United States shattered a trio of FIBA U17 World Cup records in a 146-62 blowout of China to finish Group B play with a perfect 3-0 record. USA set new marks with 146 points, 43 assists and 33 steals.
The Americans raced away to a 38-10 lead after 10 minutes and never took their foot off the gas. Nine Americans scored in double figures, topped by Jalen Haralson with 21 points while Cameron Boozer collected 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Tyran Stokes flirted with a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds. Through the games of the first two groups of play on Tuesday, the top six efficiency values belonged to USA players.
"We are feeling good, feeling confident. This was a great way to end pool play. We are starting to get stronger as we go and that's the whole plan. We didn't want to play our best basketball with the first game. We wanted to get stronger. So we're starting to get there," USA head coach Sharman White said.
Yuezhou Li was the leading producer with 17 points for China, who finished third in the group with a 1-2 record.
France breathe sigh of relief with first win
There was a collective sigh of relief at the Ahmet Comert Sport Hall as France put behind them their disheartening loss to China and beat Guinea 100-70 for their first victory in Group B. The one victory was enough for the French to grab second place in the group - ahead of China and Guinea, who also had 1-2 records.
Lamine Kebe's team used an 18-0 run spanning the first two quarters to take a 15-point lead and the game was never close the rest of the way. Hugo Yimga led the way with 16 points and 7 rebounds and Soren Bracq collected 12 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 4 rebounds. Abdouramane Toure picked up 19 points as Guinea's top scorer.
"Two days ago it was a very bad game for us so we wanted to be better today - to defend and control the rebounds, and we did so I am happy about that. But we still have a lot of work to do," Kebe said.
Spain rally to beat Lithuania - again
Spain foiled Lithuania's hopes of getting revenge on them by scoring the final 7 points of the game in an 80-75 victory to lock up first place in Group A with a perfect 3-0 record.
Lithuania led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and Spain fought back into the game and evened it at 73-73. Lithuania were up 75-73 but Guillermo Del Pino hit a corner three-pointer and Spain grabbed two offensive rebounds after missed free throws and came up with the win. Spain defeated Lithuania in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 en route to taking the title last summer.
Gildas Gimenez top-scored for Spain with 15 points and Ian Platteeuw added 10 points and 8 rebounds. Dovydas Buika tallied 15 points for Lithuania in the loss.
"There is a good rivalry with them, even though it is difficult for them to beat us. But we are Spain. We are workers but also a lot more," Gimenez said. "It was very important to beat them because now we are first and have an easier road in the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals."
Australia take care of business over Canada
Australia clinched first place in Group D as they knocked off Canada 72-61 in a battle of previously undefeated teams. The Australians nearly wasted a double figure lead but rebounded well and finished strong.
Dash Daniels led the way with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals, Ajak Nyuon picked up 12 points and 7 rebounds and Harrison Beauchamp chipped in 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Miles Sadler and Kole Grandison both had 11 points in the loss.
Onat drops 32 in second Türkiye win
Hosts Türkiye collected their second victory of the tournament with a 74-51 win over Argentina for second place in Group C - thanks to a magical night from Kaan Onat.
Türkiye pushed ahead by double figures early in the second quarter and did a good job never allowing the South Americans back into the game.
Onat was unstoppable for the home side with 32 points - just two points from pulling into 9th place for most points in a U17 World Cup game. Onat did make 13 free throws for the second most in a single game. Felipe Minzer tallied 18 points in the loss.
Other Results:
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Round of 16 matchups
Argentina vs Canada
Philippines vs USA
New Zealand vs Egypt
Lithuania vs China
Italy vs Australia
Puerto Rico vs France
Türkiye vs Germany
Spain vs Guinea
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