Sports League – Basketball News: One day after banishing misfortune, Canada has “slain a dragon” and is now one step away from winning the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 in Cairo, the first world title for its men’s team.
RJ Barrett had 38 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as Canada defeated the two-time defending champion United States 99-87 in the semifinals. With the result, Canada earned a spot in the final against Italy. Canada’s historic victory in the U-19 semifinals cannot be separated from the country’s young heroes.
“It means a lot. We beat the United States, we beat the champions. Hopefully we can be champions tomorrow,” said Barrett, who is less than a month shy of his 17th birthday, making him two years younger than the players playing in Cairo.
Danilo Djuricic, who scored 8 points including two Three pointss, said it was clear on the field how important Barrett’s role was to this team.
“You saw him, he inspired us in the first half. He scored more than us (first 20 points). That’s why we’re playing so well,” said Djuricic, who played with Barrett last summer at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. “RJ led us and led us throughout this tournament. Scoring, passing, rebounding, he does everything for us. And he’s a great leader.
Canada has never beaten neighbours the United States in its previous five appearances at this tournament, including quarter-final losses to the United States in 2009 and 2013.
Article tag: basketball, FIBA, FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017
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