MIES (Switzerland) - Groups C and D saw some impressive individual performances across four teams. The guards in particular showed up and showed out, with performances ranging from clutch, to commanding, to astonishingly creative.
Dedric Lawson, Lebanon
Such is the arresting aura of Wael Arakji, that you might have missed the quiet impact of a stable anchor like Dedric Lawson. The Cedars big man capitalized on Saudi Arabia's gaping interior holes to gift himself an expansive buffet of wide-ranging plus stats. Mercifully, he didn't attempt any threes.
Statline: +32 efficiency, 17 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Fantasy points: 44
Donte McGill, Syria
The Syria vs Iraq game was a battle to avoid being sent to the bottom of Group C, potentially out of contention of the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. In his Syria national team debut, McGill showed that sometimes, sustained solitary brilliance can be the key to carry a team to a win.
Statline: +31 efficiency, 34 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Fantasy points: 40
Brandon Goodwin, Qatar
He waited to see how hard he needed to play. Now that's the hallmark of someone with absolute mastery over his game. Noticing the Indian team start reasonably strong, the athletic point guard stepped on the gas, to make a close first half, an absolute no contest in the second.
Statline: +23 efficiency, 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Fantasy points: 29
Wael Arakji, Lebanon
You don't give a shark, the smell of blood. But that's precisely what Saudi Arabia did when they offered themselves on a platter due to the unfortunate absence of their key frontline bigs. Arakji took advantage, biting into the teeth of the Saudi defense for his trademark lefty layups, besides delectable dimes that had the partisan Zouk Mikael crowd gasping in awe.
Statline: +28 efficiency, 18 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
Fantasy points: 28
Jalen Harris, Jordan
Last but definitely not the least, we have the familiar scoring superstar. We'd wondered if Harris could replicate his opening window outburst against a heavyweight like Iran. And the answer has now come back - loud and clear: Yes. He. Can.
Harris never allowed Team Melli to seriously threaten the Falcons. Every time Iran got close, Harris had the answer. From an emphatic mood-setting poster-hammer in the first quarter, to a game-sealing three, Harris ensured the Falcons soared over Iran to cement their position atop Group C.
Statline: +20 efficiency, 29 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Fantasy points: 26
FIBA