Shenzhen, China – The NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars (6-2) finished a successful trip by defeating China (4-5) for the third time on the trip, by 84-75 before 7,528 at the Bao’an Gymnasium in Shenzhen. The USA led the game throughout, with leads of eight to 15 points. Diante Watkins led five Americans in double figures with 17 points. Watkins also added a game-high six assists. The win gave the USA All-Stars the title for the Four Nations tournament which took place in three Chinese cities over the last 12 days.
The USA All-Stars got off to another strong start, taking a 25-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. China cut the deficit to 43-37 at the half. The USA had a strong third period outscoring China by five and extending their lead to 11 at the close of the period. They then coasted to the win. The Americans won the rebounding contest by four and had 12 offensive rebounds, two more than China.
Mardracus Wade
China shot well inside, connecting on 57% of their two-point attempts but the USA’s perimeter defense was solid and held China to 7-of-28 shooting from long distance. The Americans didn’t shoot particularly well, hitting 48% from two-point range and only 28% (5-of-18) on three-pointers. The USA did try to work the ball inside tonight and that resulted in a free throw advantage of +11 while China was called for six more fouls.
Besides Watkins the USA players in double-figures were Mardracus Wade (16 points), Javier Carter (12) and Thomas Bropleh and Will Artino, both with ten. Carter added a double-double pulling down 12 rebounds. Wade hit 2-of-3 three-pointers and was more active offensively while doing an excellent job defending the Chinese guards.
The All-Tournament teams will be announced on Tuesday and we’ll post the selections when they are received from all the local media. The team travels tonight from Shenzhen to Los Angeles and then to their home cities.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars
Diante Watkins (Robert Morris/Germany) 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Brandon Clark (Santa Clara) 2 points, 1 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Mikey Thompson (Boise State) 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals
Aaron Rountree (Wake Forest/Iona) 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Thomas Bropleh (Boise State/NBA D-League) 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
James Crowder (Pfeiffer/Finland) 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Javier Carter (South Alabama/NBA D-League) 12 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals
Julius Brooks (Loyola-MD/Latvia) 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
Will Artino (Creighton/Estonia) 10 points, 7 rebounds
Mardracus Wade (Arkansas/NBA D-League) 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Media inquiries can be directed to Carl Berman at carl@netscoutsbasketball.com.
Information on NetScouts Basketball can be obtained here. Detailed articles on the tour will be found on the NetScouts Basketball Blog. Email carl@netscoutbasketball.com to get on the mailing list for tour related articles, information and photos
