RJ Barrett scores game-high 20 points for World Team
PORTLAND – A dominating performance by the World Team in the fourth quarter overshadowed a great game by Oregon-bound center Bol Bol for Team USA, as the World Team won for the 5th time ever in the 21st Nike Hoop Summit at the Moda Center, 89-76. Consensus No. 1-ranked recruit R.J. Barrett showed he was the best player in the building, leading the World Team with a game-high 20 points, to go along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Charles Bassey (13 points, 17 rebounds) and Jaylen Hoard (11 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists) got easy baskets and controlled the boards for the World Team.
Team USA went into the final quarter ahead 64-61, but Leandro Bolmaro drilled two quick 3-pointers and Andrew Nembhard added four quick points as the World Team jumped ahead 71-68. They weren’t done. R.J. Barrett got a steal for a monster breakaway dunk leading the World Team went on a 12-2 run over the next four minutes. Jaylen Hoard, Charles Bassey and Kofi Cockburn all had dunks during the run as Team USA had no answer.
“Our bench was tremendous,” said World Team head coach Roy Rana. “They shared the ball and came together well. The willingness to share the ball defined this team. It’s a real great sign that these guys were able to do that. The professionalism that these young kids showed was amazing.”
Both Barrett and Hoard felt that the week of practices prepared them well for tonights game. “We tried to transfer what we did at practice to the game and we did that,” said Hoard. “We kept the same intensity from practice and brought it to the game,” added Barrett.
They were all impressed with young Charles Bassey, one of the top rated players in the class of 2019. “He was a key part of the victory,” said Hoard. “He came in and grabbed 17 rebounds,” said Barrett. “That was a key to limiting their second shots.” “It is tremendously exciting for a player that young,” added Rana.
Bol Bol had an impressive performance for Team USA, making rebounding look easy, blocking shots at will and showing a variety of moves on offense. Bol finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 8 blocks. Vanderbilt-bound Darius Garland led Team USA with 16 points and 5 assists, while Kansas-bound Quentin Grimes added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
The World Team won the rebounding battle 59-40, including a 20-10 advantage on the offensive glass. The World Team also won the battles for points in the paint 62-44 and fast break points 25-7.
Jaylen Hoard
Charles Bassey
All photos provided by USA Basketball
