World Cup All-Stars: Karl-Anthony Towns and Shay Gilgos-Alexander dominate
Shay Gilgos-Alexander fueled France in Canada’s opening win on Friday in the FIBA group stage.
An eight-match slate marked Friday’s opening day of matches at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, and many players are already starting to make their mark. Big guys like Nikola Vucevic, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jonas Valancionas all played powerfully in propelling their teams to wins, while Patty Mills, Josh Gedi and Shay Gilgios Alexander shone in the backcourt.
Here’s a closer look at some of the top performers from the matches played on August 25th.
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Gilgos-Alexander tea, Canada
An NBA player last season, Gilgios Alexander showed off his full range of skills as Canada dominated France. 95-65 In winning the Group H opener. The third quarter proved decisive for Canada and Gilgos Alexander put in an impressive display by scoring 13 points in the frame. Overall, Gilgios-Alexander scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals as Canada’s defense was limited to 42% shooting and went 6-for-28 on three-pointers. Gilgios Alexander and Houston Rockets guard Dillon Brooks produced an effective combination at both ends in the FIBA opener, as New York Knicks standout RJ Barrett (five points, 1-for-10 shooting) struggled.
📺 Canada stuns France in dominant fashion led by Shay Gilgos-Alexander with a brilliant performance. 🇨🇦#FIBAWC s #Win for Canada pic.twitter.com/cKgNAuRdzA
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Patty Mills and Josh Geddy, Australia
Australia’s bouncers ran wild in the 98-72 win against Finland in the Group E match, but Mills and Geddy were perhaps the most influential. Mills, who now plays with the Atlanta Hawks, scored 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals in 28 minutes. Geddy was also impressive as the Oklahoma City star set a stat streak that Thunder fans are so used to seeing: 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 25 minutes. Newcomer Dante Exum scored 10 points for Australia, while Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a losing effort for Finland.
📺 Patty Mills and Josh Geddy showed the way as Australia beat Finland in a dominant start for their team #FIBAWC 2023 campaign! #win for Australia 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/lQtQ1RWLbc
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro
A former All-Star, Vucevic has shown a variety of his skills in the… win 91-71 Against Mexico in Montenegro’s opening match in Group D. The Chicago Bulls big man was in style, finishing with 27 points on 11-for-15 shooting and a 3-for-3 mark on three-pointers. He added 10 rebounds and two blocks to lead Montenegro to a 35-28 victory over Mexico, and took advantage late in the third quarter to win the match.
𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 and 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 😮💨
Nikola Vucevic leads Mexico by 27 points (11/15 FG, 3/3 3PT), 10 REB and 2 BLK 🔥#FIBAWC s #Win for Montenegro 🇲🇪 pic.twitter.com/Eod7ia8Dt9
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Cities Carl Anthony, Dominican Republic
In an exciting Group A match, the Dominican Republic scored a goal 87-81 Victory over the Philippines behind the play Taounate. It was simply too much for the Philippines front line to handle as the Minnesota Timberwolves star fell to 26 points, went 15-for-16 from the goal line and grabbed 10 rebounds, many of which came during a tight fourth quarter. Towns’ performance on the line was crucial as the Dominican Republic struggled overall as a team from there (23-for-34) and would have shot 44.4% (8-for-18) from the line had it not been for Townes’ performance. The Philippines stayed in the game thanks to the powerful shots and scoring of Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, who finished the game with 28 points (9-for-14 shooting), seven rebounds and seven assists before he made a mistake in the fourth quarter.
Dominican Republic tackled Gilas Pilipinas to spoil the hosts’ home debut and claim their first win! 🔥#FIBAWC s #Win for Dominicana 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/FzgXT2jOQx
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Mo Wagner, Germany
Wagner is usually known as a power player for the Orlando Magic, but in Germany 81-63 Cheerful Against Japan in the opening match of Group E, he played a star role. He was particularly dominant in the first half as Germany built up a 53-31 lead, setting the tone with his powerful basket shots and rebounding work. Overall, Wagner finished with 25 points (10-for-14 shooting), nine rebounds and was strong on the line with an 8-for-9 bid.
📺 Germany needed a bit of time to recover as they overtook Japan for the win #FIBAWC opener!#FIBAWC s #Win for Germany 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/7BLoZHjAxx
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania
Lithuania had few problems supplying power to A.S win 93-67 Against Egypt in the opening match of Group D for both teams. That easy run was mostly thanks to Valanciunas, who kept Friday’s rally from a dominant big man play, posting 15 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes as he manhandled Egypt throughout the first half with inside baskets and powerful rebounds. And some home defense, too.
🇱🇹 Lithuania started on the right foot ✅#FIBAWC s #Win for Lithuania
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
