MIAMI (United States) – Canada’s NBA-powered roster delivered a statement performance. Fielding a roster full of NBA standouts, the Canadian National Team defeated Puerto Rico, 110-84, on Friday evening at TD Coliseum in Hamilton. Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard added 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. The hometown star delivered in front of his home crowd. “It’s amazing,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’s special. I don’t take those opportunities for granted to be able to play in front of the people that watched me grow up and are from the same city I’m from, grew up in the same neighborhood I’m from, and went through the same experiences. It’s a special connection. It was super fun out there for sure.”
He and Andrew Nembhard both posted a game-high efficiency rating of 29 for a Canadian team that built a 15-point lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Canada’s offensive performance was one for the record books. The team made 46 baskets, tying the Americas Qualifiers record now held alongside the United States. New Zealand owns the overall World Cup Qualifiers record with 51 made baskets against Hong Kong in 2017. Nembhard, the Indiana Pacers guard, scored 13 of his 23 points in the first half to set the tone. He finished 5-of-7 from three-point range while adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Dillon Brooks was the only other Canadian player to score in double figures, finishing with 15 points in 22 minutes. The Phoenix Suns forward scored 11 of those points in the first half as Canada entered halftime with an 18-point advantage.
Canada’s depth also proved decisive. The hosts also received solid contributions from Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Leonard Miller (Chicago Bulls), Ryan Nembhard (Dallas Mavericks), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks). Gordie Herbert’s team shot 64.8 percent from the field and recorded 29 assists against only 11 turnovers. Canada also outscored Puerto Rico 60-34 in the paint, highlighting the difference between the two teams. Puerto Rico played much better after the opening quarter but never managed to seriously threaten Canada’s lead. Veteran center Ismael Romero finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Alfonso Plummer and Ethan Thompson added 14 points apiece. The visitors shot a respectable 42 percent from the field and made 10 three-pointers, but Canada’s offensive talent proved impossible to match. The victory clinched first place in Group B for Canada (5-0) while making Puerto Rico’s path to the Second Round even more difficult. The Puerto Ricans must now defeat the Bahamas, led by NBA players VJ Edgecombe, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon, on the road on Monday to advance to the next round.
FIBA