For the first time ever, Team Canada won a medal at the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup. On Sunday, Canada won the bronze medal game by defeating the United States 127-118 in overtime in Manila, Philippines.
The Canadian team was led by Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks from Mississauga, Ontario, who scored a career-high 39 points. Four other Canadians reached double-digit points. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Toronto, Ontario had 31 points, New York Knicks shooting guard RJ Barrett of Toronto had 23 points and Utah Jazz power forward Kelly Olynyk of Toronto and Thunder small forward Luguentz Dort of Montreal, Quebec had 10 points each. Gilgeous-Alexander had the double-double as he had a team-high 12 assists. Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks power forward Dwight Powell of Toronto and Barrett Canada led Canada with seven rebounds.
Germany won the gold medal game by defeating Serbia 83-77. Serbia, which won the silver medal, defeated Canada 95-86 in the semifinals.
Twice Canada won a bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The first time was in Seoul, South Korea in 1979, and the second time was in Russia in 1986. The bronze medal for the Team Canada men’s basketball team will give them confidence as they prepare 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
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