AmeriCup Quarter-Finals Top Performers: Cole, Huertas, Meindl, Banton and Amigo
RECIFE (Brazil) – United States guard Norris Cole captured all eyes at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Quarter-Finals, starring in what is so far the best play of the tournament.
Cole was the great architect of the United States' qualification for the Semi-Finals by scoring the decisive bucket that gave his team the 85-84 victory over Puerto Rico.
The two-time Miami Heat NBA champion had an excellent performance scoring 12 of his 20 points in the last six minutes of the game. He took 3 of 4 shots from long range and dished out 2 assists for an efficiency of 17.
Brazilians Marcelinho Huertas and Leonardo Meindl were also decisive and guided their team's victory over the Dominican Republic to advance to the Semi-finals.
👀✌️@Huertas09 en zona de GIGANTES
— FIBA AmeriCup (@AmeriCup) September 8, 2022
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Huertas and Meindl left an efficiency of 21 each, after a great contribution on both sides of the court. The veteran point guard had 15 points after taking 6 of his 9 shots, including 3-4 from 3-point range, in addition to 6 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal. The forward added 14 points, 4-6 3-pointers, with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.
The Mexican center Daniel Amigo also looked great although he could not avoid the elimination of his team against Canada. Amigo had the highest efficiency at the individual level of the Quarter-finals with 23.
🇲🇽 🎩@gaelbonilla0233 🤜 🤛 @Danielamigo44 💦
— FIBA AmeriCup (@AmeriCup) September 8, 2022
Watch live on Courtside 1891 📺: https://t.co/1ZRJDuMHCl#AmeriCup | @ademeba_oficial pic.twitter.com/rE4KUGZSOl
Amigo kept Mexico alive until the last seconds of the match by scoring 20 points, including 6-for-6 from free throws, in addition to 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The last member of our list is Dalano Banton, who was responsible for putting the brakes on Mexico and leading Canada to the next round by once again showing his great versatility on the court. The forward who plays for the Toronto Raptors, contributed 16 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals for an efficiency of 17.
Special mention must be made of Puerto Rican point guard Tremont Waters, who also did everything in his power to avoid leaving the tournament. The 24-year-old had the whole island dreaming by giving them the lead with 6 seconds to go, but then came Cole's big play to snatch the win away from Puerto Rico. Waters finished with 16 points and 12 assists.
FIBA