2021 FIBA U19 World Cup – USA Wins.

#2 Seed Canada wins the Bronze.

I’m still mind-boggled by the semis pairings. However, Both the top seeds won to finish the tournament.

USA edged France to win the Gold. 2-Seed Canada came from behind also to edge Serbia for the Bronze and 3rd place in this World Cup. The European kids are getting better by leaps and bounds.

USA-France Final, USA Wins Gold.

U19 World Cup Bronze game. Canada defeats Serbia for 3rd.

Both the top-seeded teams closed out the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup with victories. The USA and Canada both rallied for come-from-behind victories, over France and Serbia respectively, to close out the World Cup tourney with victories. USA garnering the Championship and Canada securing the Bronze Medal.

Creighton also secured victories in that both our participant players have had excellent productivity during this 2021 World Cup. The Ryans played very well in this international competition. Ryan Kalkbrenner finished the tournament averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots per game (T-11th) in 11.0 minutes per game. He shot 18-of-29 field goals (62.1 percent) and 5-of-7 free throws (71.4 percent).

Ryan Nembhard tallied 21 points and 10 assists to help Canada to a bronze medal in a 101-92 come-from-behind win vs. Serbia. In Latvia, Nembhard averaged 15.1 points, 6.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes per game. He also shot 80 percent from the line (20-25) and 38.9 percent (14-36) from three-point range. Nembhard ranked in the top-25 in the event in assists per game (T-1st), double-doubles (T-5th), free throw percentage (7th), points per game (T-9th), minutes per game (9th), 3-point percentage (12th) and steals per game (T-25th).

Nembhard highlights

The Jays showed excellent poise and consistency against age-group level international players. Their performance over this 2-week tourney has allayed my prior concerns as to their talent level and their internal workings (heart, IQ, will-to-win, etc.). Our guys are a handful and are able to compete at the elite level. This showing, along with Arthur’s continuing showing at Afrobasket 21, have boosted my confidence level for our guys above the 90% mark.

Bring on the NCAA 2021-22 college basketball season!