Portland, OR – The World Select Team pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team 89-76 in the 21st annual Nike Hoop Summit at the Moda Center.
Duke recruit R.J. Barrett (Canada) led the World Team with a game-high 20 points to go with nine rebounds. Charles Bassey (Nigeria), a 6-11 2019 recruit added 13 points and a World team record 16 rebounds. Wake Forest recruit Jaylen Hoard (France) also contributed a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Darius Garland (Vanderbilt) led the USA with 16 points, making 4-of-7 three-pointers.
The game was tight until the World team pulled away in the fourth quarter. The USA led 19-16 after the first quarter. A late surge by the World team, helped by two Barrett baskets put them up 38-35 at the half. The USA came back and regained the lead at 64-61 after the third quarter before the World Team outscored the USA 28-12 in the fourth quarter for the victory. The World team had a 60-46 edge in points in the paint and a 60-42 edge on the boards. The 60 rebounds was a tournament record. Their dominance on the boards helped the World team overcome poor long-distance shooting (3-of-17). The USA team didn’t help themselves with their shooting, only connecting on 39.2 percent overall with 27 percent (6-of-22) from deep.
R.J. Barrett
Barrett added six assists and a World Team record five steals to his impressive stat line. Over the past year Barrett has added 15 pounds of muscle making him even more of a match-up problem. His shooting is sometimes inconsistent but he’s a gamer, playing well when it matters and has the flexible skill set that NBA teams covet. He’ll be near the top of the 2019 NBA Draft. Bassey, only a junior, is strong and an extremely quick jumper. He’s one of the top 2019 recruits and is being sought by all the top programs. He has an extremely bright future.
The USA’s Bol Bol (Oregon) was impressive with 12 points, a USA team-record 14 rebounds and six blocked shots. I thought he had eight blocks. The 7-3 center keeps his feet steady on defense and has excellent shot-blocking instincts. He converted on 6-of-11 shots, most of his makes coming on dunks or short jumpers. Bol’s only issue is whether he plays hard. He’ll take some plays off or won’t get down court on defense quickly. If Oregon can get him to play hard consistently he’ll really make a difference. Bol will also be selected near the top of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Bol Bol
The USA had won the past two Hoop Summit games and still leads 14-7 in the 21 games. According to USA Basketball, 203 former members of the USA or World Select Team have been drafted by NBA teams, including 13 players in the 2017 NBA Draft. And, as of Dec. 12, 2017, 72 former U.S. players and 33 former World team members were active in the NBA. Additionally, 36 former Hoop Summit players competed on the collegiate level in 2017-18, including 23 U.S. players and 13 World Team athletes. Over 80 NBA scouts and front office personnel attended the practices during the week along with selected media members.
This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout certification program. For information contact us and forward your resume. Thanks to Sam Forencich of USA Basketball for the Barrett and Bol photos.
