US Handles Canada With Ease In FIBA World Cup Tune-Up

After being upset by Australia, Team USA had one more exhibition before moving on to China for the FIBA World Cup: Canada. The US won 84-68.

Although we believe that Canada, like Australia, is a major rising power in international basketball, the Canadians didn’t bring their best roster.

There are some familiar names though: Khem Birch, Brady Heslip, who played for BC for a time, former Syracuse forward Oshae Brissett, and former Kentucky and Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer.

And they had the advantage of spending more time together than the US squad.

However, catching the US after being upset probably wasn’t the best timing possible for our Northern neighbors.

Jaylen Brown led the way with 19 points while Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker each had 12.

Wiltjer had 21 for Canada.

The World Cup is up next with the first game on September 1st vs. the Czechs, then Turkey then Japan.

Turkey usually has some pretty good players though one of their best, Enes Kanter, is being treated as a dissident (the government calls him a terrorist which is ridiculous; he has demonstrated no desire to hurt anyone) won’t play for obvious reasons.

And last time we saw Japan play, we loved that team. It’s got some spunk and their guys play with some real flair. Should be fun. And don’t forget they now have Rui Hachimura, who just helped them to beat Germany.