Tag Archives: USA Basketball

Gabriel Deck Leads Argentina Past the United States to Reach AmeriCup Finals

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Gabriel Deck has helped Argentina take down the defending champions…

The 27-year-old Argentine professional basketball player scored 30 points to lead Argentina past the reigning champion USA Basketball team 82-73 in the AmeriCup semifinals.

Gabriel DeckNicolás Laprovittola added 18 points to help the Argentina team advance to the finals.

It was a rematch of the gold-medal game from the most recent AmeriCup tournament in 2017, a game in which the U.S. prevailed.

Not this time, not after Argentina outscored the Americans — a team composed of players who have been in the G League or on internationally based teams — 17-7 in the final 4:59.

“For sure, a lot of credit to Argentina and [coach Pablo Prigioni],” U.S. coach Alex Jensen said. “It’s a good team, veteran team, a lot of good players, a lot of different weapons and they did a great job in the end. We made our runs. They did a good job taking it up another notch and we lost our patience.”

Argentina will now play Brazil, who beat Canada in the other semifinal, on Sunday for the gold; Canada plays the U.S. earlier Sunday for bronze.

Norris Cole‘s layup with 5:12 left put the U.S. up 66-65, but that would be the last lead for the Americans.

“This is a good learning experience for our team,” Cole said. “And we’ll learn from it.”

Cole led the U.S. with 18 points and Zylan Cheatham added 10 for the Americans, who got to the line only 10 times — compared with 29 for Argentina.

Facundo Campazzo scored 10 for Argentina, which lost the 2017 AmeriCup final to the U.S. 81-76. Argentina led for 33 of the game’s 40 minutes.

Carmelo Anthony & His USA Basketball Teammates to Be Featured in “The Redeem Team” Olympic Documentary

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It’s a redemption story for Carmelo Anthony and his fellow USA Basketball teammates…

Netflix has partnered with the International Olympic Committee for The Redeem Team—a new documentary looking at the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team’s iconic victory of 2008, featuring the 38-year-old Puerto Rican professional basketball player and his teammates.

Carmelo AnthonyThe Redeem Team will be released globally on the streamer on October 7th.

Using unprecedented Olympic footage and behind-the-scenes material, The Redeem Team tells the story of the U.S Olympic Men’s Basketball Team’s quest for gold at the 2008 Beijing Games following the previous team’s shocking, low-point performance four years earlier in Athens.

The documentary offers a portrait of team building and features interviews with athletes and coaches from Dwyane Wade and LeBron James to Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, who reflect on how The Redeem Team set a new standard for American basketball.

The Redeem Team is an Olympic Channel, Kennedy/Marshall Company & Mandalay Sports Media production in association with 59th and Prairie Entertainment, Uninterrupted, NBA Entertainment & USA Basketball.

The project marks Netflix’s first collaboration with the Olympic Channel—the media studio owned and operated by the IOC—and also marks the Olympic Channel’s first time producing a film exclusively for a global streaming service.

Skydance Sports’ Jon Weinbach directed the doc, with Greg Groggel and Diego Hurtado De Mendoza producing.

“The Redeem Team represents the very best of what the Olympics are all about,” said Olympic Channel Services GM, Mark Parkman. “This film will bring viewers directly inside that team and the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 by showcasing the personality and dynamics of a special group of superstars who came together as one to reclaim basketball supremacy on the biggest stage in sports.”

“In 2008, I played with heroes of mine, all stars, friends and future teammates. Outside of winning and showing the world that we were still the most dominant, our other big challenge was changing the perception of what everyone thought about the NBA and USA Basketball!” added Wade. “I’m excited for everyone to get an opportunity to go behind the scenes and see all the work that went into this iconic team — The Redeem Team!”

In addition to Anthony, the 2008 USA Basketball team included Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams.

Marc Gasol Makes History While Leading Spain to FIBA World Cup Championship

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Marc Gasol is celebrating a rare feat…

The 34-year-old Spanish professional basketball player got to bask in a championship celebration for the second time in three months — and this time, he did it for his country. Tournament MVP Ricky Rubio scored 20 points, Sergio Llull added 15 and Spain won the FIBA World Cup for the second time by topping Argentina 95-75 on Sunday.

Marc Gasol

“We weren’t the most talented team,” Rubio said. “We weren’t the bigger team. Put anything you want, but we were the team with the biggest heart and we showed it tonight and we showed it during the whole tournament.”

Gasol scored 14 for the winners, who never trailed and added this crown to the one they claimed in 2006. And for him, 2019 will go down as a year the likes of which few others have enjoyed.

The Toronto Raptors center becomes the second player to win an NBA title and a FIBA world gold medal in the same year, joining Lamar Odom — who did it for the Los Angeles Lakers and USA Basketball in 2010. Gasol also became the 19th player to win either an NBA or WNBA crown along with a gold medal, either of the Olympic or World Cup variety, in the same year.

The first 18 all did it for the U.S.

This time, vamos Espana!

“NBA champion and a World Cup champion as well,” Gasol said. “What can I say? How does it sound to you? I feel very fortunate to be in this position and be able to play this game and help these guys be part of history of Spanish basketball.”

Llull and Rudy Fernandez — the team captain, who initially got to accept the Naismith Trophy — went to cut down the nets shortly after the final buzzer. Gasol carried the game ball to the gold-medal ceremony, and Spanish fans wept in the stands during the national anthem.

Gabriel Deck scored 24 points for Argentina (8-1), which got off to a slow start and played uphill the rest of the way. Luis Scola was held to eight points, shooting 1-for-10 from the floor.

“We’re sad right now. We’re very sad,” Scola said. “But I feel confident, in hours, we’ll be able to look back and be very proud. They just played better than us. They were better. They deserved to win. They were the better team in the game and the tournament.”

Spain led 43-31 at intermission, after putting together a 14-2 run to open the game and a 17-1 run later in the half.

“This is basketball,” Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez said. “If you play better than the other team, you win the game. And Spain was the best team today.”

Scola, who at 39 years old was still Argentina’s best player throughout the tournament, didn’t get on the score sheet until he made a pair of free throws with 2:57 left in the third quarter. But they only cut Spain’s lead to 19, and by then the Argentinian fans who stood, sang and chanted for much of the game were relatively quiet.

The day belonged to Spain.

And the year belongs to Gasol.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gasol said.

Joining Rubio on the all-tournament team were Gasol, Scola, France’s Evan Fournier and Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Anthony Leads Team USA to Third Straight Olympic Gold in Men’s Basketball

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2016 Rio Games

Carmelo Anthony is basketball’s golden boy…

The 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican basketball star helped lead Team USA to a 96-66 win over Serbia at the 2016 Rio Games, to give the United States the gold medal in Men’s Basketball.

Carmelo Anthony & Team USA

It’s Anthony, who has won his third gold medal in four tries, says he’s done with international competition.

The New York Knicks star first represented the United States at the 2004 Athens Games when Team USA won bronze under Larry Brown.

“I knew this is the end,” Anthony told Ros Gold-Onwude on NBC moments after the team’s big win. “This is it for me. I committed to something …” Anthony then paused for 21 seconds, soaking in the cheers from the crowd. “I committed to this in ’04. I’ve seen the worst and I’ve seen the best. And I stuck with it. And we stuck with it. And I’m here today, three gold medals later. I’m just, I’m excited for me but also for the other guys who never experienced anything like this.”

Carmelo Anthony & Team USA

It’s the most emotional Anthony has ever been publicly, and it’s understandable.

Throughout his 13 years in the NBA, he has received all sorts of criticism for his teams being unable to win big. While he has been a terrific playoff performer, he has only been to the conference finals once.

On the international stage, though, Anthony has been more successful than just about anybody.

Anthony is the only male basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals. He is Team USA’s all-time leader in points, games played and rebounds at the Olympics. He can retire from the national team knowing that his dedication to USA Basketball can never be questioned.

That is unless Anthony isn’t convinced to do it all over again at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

LeBron James is around the same age as Anthony, and he has intentionally left the door open to participate, as he would like to play for new Team USA coach Gregg Popovich. Also read: Do you have a friend, kid or relative that you are looking to surprise with a basketball related gift? Well, I understand it’s a confusing and tedious process. Lucky for you I have put together a hand-picked list of the best basketball gifts for players and fans. Roadtoreno helps you to choose best gift. Chances are that they will love whichever product you will choose.

Anthony Named to USA Basketball’s Team for 2016 Olympic Games

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It’s official… Carmelo Anthony is headed to his fourth Olympics.

USA Basketball‘s 12-man roster has been announced for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the 32-year-old half-Puerto Rican basketball star making the grade.

Carmelo Anthony

While a few of the game’s best won’t be in action this summer, plenty of superstar talent will make the trip in head coach Mike Krzyzewski‘s push for a third and final Olympic gold medal.

The New York Knicks star is the only Latino player named to the team.

Here’s a look at the players who will be donning the red, white and blue.

Carmelo Anthony
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Forward
Age: 32
Olympics appearance: 4th
Team USA experience: Olympics (2012-Gold, 2008-Gold, 2004-Bronze); FIBA World Championship (2006-Bronze), FIBA Americas (2007-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014.

Kevin Durant
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Olympics appearance: 2nd
Team USA experience: Olympics (2012-Gold), FIBA World Championship (2010-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014.

Paul George
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Forward
Age: 26
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014 (injured leg during scrimmage ahead of 2014 FIBA World Cup)

Draymond Green
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Forward
Age: 26
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: Named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball National Team on Aug. 6, 2015.

Klay Thompson
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Guard
Age: 26
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: FIBA World Cup (2014-Gold); FIBA U19 World Championship (2009-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014.

Kyrie Irving
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Guard
Age: 24
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: FIBA World Cup (2014-Gold); FIBA Americas U18 Championship (2010-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014.

Jimmy Butler
Team: Chicago Bulls
Position: Guard
Age: 26
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: Named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball National Team on Aug. 6, 2015.

DeMarcus Cousins
Team: Sacramento Kings
Position: Center
Age: 25
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: FIBA World Cup (2014-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on Jan. 23, 2014.

DeAndre Jordan
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Center
Age: 27
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: FIBA U19 World Championship (2007-Silver); Named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball National Team on Aug. 6, 2015.

Kyle Lowry
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Guard
Age: 30
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: None

DeMar DeRozan
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Guard
Age: 26
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: FIBA World Cup (2014-Gold); Named a member of the 2014-16 USA Men’s National Team on July 14, 2014.

Harrison Barnes
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Forward
Age: 24
Olympics appearance: 1st
Team USA experience: Named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball National Team on Aug. 6, 2015.