JAKARTA (Indonesia) - Brazilian icon Marcelinho Huertas successfully reached the milestone of 100 assists at the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday.

Huertas dished out the 100th assist in the competition in the fourth quarter against Iran in their opening game at the Indonesia Arena.

The 40-year-old joins Ricky Rubio (130) and Pablo Prigioni (106) as the only players in the century club of assists in official World Cup games since the data was recorded from 1994.

Huertas is a true legend of the game with the 2023 edition also marking his fifth appearance in the tournament.

"I think it's just a consequence of my game", he said of the potential landmark ahead of the tournament. "Just try to make others better and help the team. I think I'm maybe an old-school point guard. There’s not many left.

"Basketball has developed and changed so much lately and I think it's just part of my game who I am as a player and if I can keep advancing as long as the team's winning, I think that's an incredible achievement." 

All-time assists leader in BCL

Huertas is also the all-time leader in assists in the Basketball Champions League (BCL), as he entered the league at 36 and got the record three years later.

Huertas' contribution to Kobe Bryant's final NBA game

Remember also that Huertas was also the man who gave the last assist to Kobe Bryant's last field goal in his final NBA game when he had 60 points.

FIBA