Japan come clutch, Netherlands sweep on Day 4 of FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024
ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Japan (men) and Netherlands (women) booked their Quarter-final spots after an exciting Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024 on September 14.
ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Japan (men) and Netherlands (women) booked their Quarter-final spots after an exciting Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2024 on September 14.
TEAMS
JAPAN (men)
Suffering a loss to China in their opener on Day 2, Japan knew only a perfect second half of pool play would pull them into the knockout rounds.
They started Day 4 with a 21 - 14 victory against Benin. Eijiro Ogawa led the team with an 8-point display.
Their biggest task however, came in their final pool game against the unbeaten Dutch. A physical battle ensued, with the Netherlands showing off their athleticism and vision. The Japanese men would be the ones to take victory though thanks to a stellar game from Kenny Asano who picked up 13 points. A two from Haruki Hori clinched their spot in the Quarter-final.
🇯🇵 JAPAN DEFEAT THE UNBEATEN DUTCH! 🤯🔥#3x3U23 x @JAPANBASKETBALL pic.twitter.com/U3T8B1s071
— 3x3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) September 14, 2024
NETHERLANDS (women)
The Dutch women came into Day 4 with a perfect record and they took no blemishes tonight. They took a 16 - 11 win against Egypt to start off. Lotte Van Kruistum had a team-high 7 points with the rest of the squad chipping in with timely buckets to keep the team ahead.
They took on a strong France team in one of the major clashes of the day and steamrolled past them. Stringent defense coupled with consistent scoring led to an 18 - 9 result in favor of the Dutch as they head into day 4 with momentum on their side.
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PLAYERS
JAMEER NELSON JR. (men)
The American was doing it all for team USA on Day 4. In their opener against China, he not only put up 6 points, showcasing his offensive versatility, but was key on the other end of the floor as well, making plays that directly contributed to the team’s success.
He then put up a joint-high 9 points in a demolishing victory against Latvia, capping off a perfect pool play record with two top-notch performances.
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HARMONI TURNER (women)
The shifty American guard pulled out the tricks for her side on the day. She led team USA in scoring in their first win of the day with 7 points, including the clutch buzzer-beating two for the win against a contending Spain side.
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She followed it up with yet another all-round offensive explosion as the Americans defeated New Zealand to finish pool play 4-0.
QUARTER-FINAL
MEN’S
Spain v New Zealand
United States v China
Japan v Lithuania
Germany v France
WOMEN’S
Hungary v Germany
Netherlands v Spain
United States v France
Poland v China
DAY 5
Pool play in the books, onto the knockout phase as we find out who takes home Gold in Mongolia. Tune in LIVE for the finals action.