DUBAI // So far, it has been plain sailing for the Americans.
They breezed through group play at the Fiba Under 17 World Championship undefeated and advanced to the quarter-finals on Tuesday by brushing aside Japan 122-38. The biggest challenge the winners of the previous two tournaments have faced in Dubai was a 10-point victory over Greece.
Three victories away from a third U17 gold medal does not, though, mean there are no rough conditions ahead.
“Absolutely. You have to show up to play, our kids are very aware of that,” United States coach Don Showalter said on Tuesday. “I watched Serbia last night and they are physical, they are good. Every team brings something a little different.
“It’s an international competition, so you just never know what can happen. We are going to stay focused and not take anyone for granted. No risk of complacency; our kids are focused. We’re here to win a gold medal.”
Even after four victories by an average margin of 38 points, the young Americans say they have room for improvement.
“I think there’s still another gear,” said captain Malik Newman, who had 15 points on six-of-nine shooting against the Japanese. “We’ve been playing good, pushing the ball well and playing out of transition like we need to, but I think there’s still a gear in there for us.
“I always tell people, from the jump to the buzzer, I think once we get out there, play hard, I think you’ll see what USA basketball is all about.”
He said the team are looking forward to the challenge of stronger opposition as the tournament reaches its final stages.
“We came out here to play against good competition, to see what the world was about,” he said. “There’s actually some good teams out here.
“Not to discredit anyone, but I do think we have the advantage over everyone, but there are definitely some good teams, so to get a Spain or Australia or something like that, I think it’d be a good game to watch.”
The US continued to spread the scoring against Japan, with Jayson Tatum’s 19 points and Diamond Stone’s 11 rebounds leading the way. The US have had a different leading scorer in every game: Stone against the Greeks, Harry Giles against Angola, Newman against the Philippines and Tatum yesterday.
It is a testament to their depth and another reason they carry the favourites tag.
After a day off today, they will meet China tomorrow at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
Asked about their “team to beat” status, Showalter said: “I think the nice thing is, you’re the favourite, and the bad thing is, you’re the favourite. But it’s a good label to have. We want to get everybody’s best shot.”
Meanwhile, the second-leading scorer of the tournament has announced his presence out of an unlikely place. Rui Hachimura has been one of the revelations of the event, scoring 21.8 points per game through four contests for a Japan team who have not won.
That has not stopped the 1.98-metre wing, whom a Japan assistant coach called “our brightest prospect”, from standing out. He has shown a clean jump shot, which he can hit fading away, dexterity around the basket, and a growing confidence in driving to the rim.
He scored 25 points in the round-of-16 game against the United States on Tuesday and caught the eye of US coach Showalter.
“He’s a good player, no question,” Showalter said. “We really focused in on him and he still got 20-something points. He can step back and shoot. He’s very talented. He would play for a lot of teams here, no doubt about it.”
jraymond@thenational.ae
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