Outgoing champion, the USA won its final match on Saturday at the Basketball World Cup — but it was still its worst finishing place in the tournament’s history.
Team USA defeated Poland 87-74 in a low-key “classification” game to finish seventh overall, its lowest position since the competition began in 1950. Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz had a double-double of 16 points and 10 assists.
Gasol eyes a rare double
Spain’s Marc Gasol is one victory away from a rare feat — winning the NBA crown and a Basketball World Cup in the same year. Only Lamar Odom, a double winner in 2010 with USA and LA Lakers, has ever managed that, according to FIBA.
Now Gasol, who played a key role in the Toronto Raptors’ run to the NBA title, is on the verge of joining him in the history books.
The 34-year-old proved his enduring quality by saving Spain in Friday’s double overtime victory over Australia to set up a final against Argentina. Spain won 95-88.
He had 33 points, six rebounds and four assists after stepping up when his country needed him most.
Argentina was a convincing 80-66 winner over France in its semifinal with the 39-year-old Luis Scola propelling the team into the showdown with Spain. Scola finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.
The results:USA 87 (Mitchell 16, Joe Harris 14, Derrick White 12) bt Poland 74 (Mateusz Ponitka 18, Adam Waczynski 17, A.J. Slaughter 15).
