The United States Under-17 National Team entered the FIBA World Championships on Thursday afternoon a perfect 23-0 all-time at the event dating back to 2010.
That dominance didn’t stop with Thursday’s game.
The Americans put seven players in double-figures, led by 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting from Tampa Catholic wing Kevin Knox II, in routing Chinese Taipei, 119-45, at Palacio de los Deportes in Spain.
Knox, the No. 7 recruit in the class of 2017 according to Rivals, was complemented by 14 points from Wendell Carter Jr. and 13 apiece from Collin Sexton and Troy Brown.
The United States raced out to a 22-point first-quarter lead, before shooting 53.7 percent from the field for the night. It will return to action Friday against Turkey and close play in Group A on Sunday against Egypt. The knockout rounds begin Sunday with the round of 16.
Montverde Trio Power Canada Over Australia
Simi Shittu, a 2018 forward out of Montverde Academy, scored 22 points to go along with 12 rebounds to lead Canada to an 81-78 opening win over Australia. His high school teammate, 2019 guard R.J. Barrett, added 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting in the win.
Shittu, Barrett and another 2019 star, Andrew Nembhard (14 points, 4 steals) are regarded as part of the future of the Canadian national team program. Barrett, the son of former St. John’s guard, and Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager, Rowan Barrett, began this month by training with the senior national team, which is preparing for the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the Philippines beginning July 5.
Canada plays Finland on Saturday and China on Sunday before beginning the knockout round on Sunday. The only time Canada would see the United States would be in the gold medal game on July 3.
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