Title: Scouting reports on next wave of Canadian NBA prospects after winning bronze at FIBA U19 World Cup
Date: July 11, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I took a look at the long-term prospects who helped Canada win bronze at the FIBA U-19 World Cup.
The best and worst of Canada’s U19 World Cup team was on display in Sunday’s third-place game against Serbia in Latvia.
After a spirited 92-86 loss to the U.S. a day earlier, Canada made it clear that they felt they didn’t belong in this spot for the tournament’s final game. The luck of the draw with FIBA’s pot system put Canada and the U.S. on the same side of the knockout stage bracket and, to hear big man Zach Edey tell it, Canada felt their semifinal with the Americans was the true gold-medal game.
“We felt they were the only team that could challenge us really,” Edey said. “We’re coming tomorrow with that mindset: just to dominate and make sure that we get our country’s second medal in this event.”
Canada looked the part early against a solid Serbian team. The lead reached 15 points early in the second quarter, with Canada’s speed and ball pressure looking superior to Serbia’s more savvy, half-court advantages. Even Nikola Jovic, Serbia’s standout and leader, lost his composure for a stretch.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 