#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.

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.

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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).

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!

#ROLLDAMNJAYS!

The #1 & #2 Seeds on the same side of the Bracket?: USA over Canada.

Only FIBA could put a wrench in the works this bad.

How in the hell do you put the top 2 seeds on the same side of a bracket? Even Joe Lunardi/Jerry Palm know better than that? So the FIBA U19 semi-finals will outshine tomorrow’s Finals. USA U19 outlasted their Canadian counterparts in an electric game in Latvia – 92-86. USA will play whomever and roll in the finals. Canada will also play whomever and take the bronze. They should have been slated for play in the finals, from opposing brackets. Oh well.

Andy Katz, Jon Rothstein, and the others will rave on & on about Holmgren, Edey, and the rest. I will concern my comments to the Creighton contingent of Kalkbrenner & Nembhard.

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Heading into this game Kalkbrenner was averaging: 6.8ppg /62%, 71.4% FT, 4.7Rpg, 1.3 BLK, on 12.2 minutes.

Nembhard was averaging: 14.2ppg/35.4%, 39.4% 3pt, 77.8% FT, 4.2Rpg, 6.2 Ast, on 30 mpg.

In this game they played above their averages:

Kalk: 10Pts/66.7%, 2-2FT/100%, 4Rbd, 1TO, 2Blk, on 12.27 Minutes

Nemb: 18Pts/31.8%, 37.5% 3Pt, 50% FT, 8Rbd, 6 Ast, 2TO, 2Stl, on 38 Minutes

Both of our guys did themselves proud…playing well as expected, for their respective national teams. These games, as well as the Kaluma/Afrobasket 21 games are giving the Bluejays coaches and contingent excellent insights into the caliber of players we have on board for this and future seasons.

Mac and staff have done real good in landing top-tier players for the team and IMHO there will be little, if any, fall off from previous years. These young men are Warriors and will help CU continue to be competitive at the highest levels of collegiate hoops.

As an aside, 2022 recruit Adem Bona was representing Turkey at the FIBA U19 games.

Bona’s Line: 8.8 Ppg/70%, 100% FT, 2.8Rpg, 0.8 Blk, on 15.2 MPG

Well Done to both Ryan’s, Well Done young fellas. Way to represent your countries and Creighton!

#RollDamnJays!