SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) - Domantas Sabonis and Jose Alvarado led their countries to first-place finishes in Groups A and B and were the stand-out stars in their respective pools.
Let's take a look at the most dominant players of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico after the Group Phase:
Group A - Domantas Sabonis - Lithuania
Statistics: 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 0.5 steals for a 20.0 efficiency while shooting 71.4 percent from the floor.
Sabonis has been a steady presence in the middle for undefeated Lithuania.
The Sacramento Kings' star was clutch in the fourth quarter during the Europeans' comeback against Côte d'Ivoire that allowed them to finish first in Group A.
Lithuania are yet to go into high gear in San Juan and there's also some room for growth for Sabonis as well, with the big man turning the ball over nine times across the first two contests.
Group B - Jose Alvarado - Puerto Rico
Statistics: 14.5 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 rebounds for a 17 efficiency while shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from long distance.
Alvarado had the fans at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot absolutely losing their minds with clutch basket after clutch basket in the fourth quarter against Italy.
The New Orleans Pelicans' guard put on a show, scoring 21 of his 29 points in the second half, including 12 in the final period. He shot a white-hot 7-for-10 from beyond the arc and finished with a 27 efficiency in the crucial win to set up a matchup against Mexico in the Semi-Finals.
His first game against Bahrain was less impressive as he got into foul trouble and finished the game scoreless, but he delivered in in the game that helped Puerto Rico finish atop Group B.
FIBA