SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM,
SINGAPORE – The NBA G League United wasted no time in establishing
their caliber after beating Quimsa, 78-65, on the first day of the
FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 Thursday night here.
The Americans, mostly made up of
former NBA players, G League mainstays, and bright young, upcoming
stars took advantage of their height and athletic advantage against
Argentinian side Quimsa.
“We knew we’re the most athletic
team out here, so we tried to take advantage of that – and we did,”
Brodric Thomas said.
Former NBA player from the
Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers Juan Toscano-Anderson
led the way for the United with an all-around game of 13 points, 8
rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals while Deonte Burton, a former OKC
Thunder player, top scored for the team with 17 points.
Thomas added 12 markers, while
Rob Baker II and Charlie Brown Jr. chipped in with 11 apiece as the
Americans had five players in double digits for their first win of
the tournament.
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is
a tournament featuring the six champion teams from each continent,
and the NBA G League United is representing the USA for North
America. Quimsa, a club from Argentina, represents South
America.
“We wanted to be aggressive and
make a statement. I believe the G League is the 2nd-best league in
the world (after the NBA) and we wanna come and show that,”
Toscano-Anderson said post-game.
In the second match of the day,
Spanish side Unicaja representing Europe dominated the Angolan
squad Petro de Luanda representing Africa, 95-75. Tyler Kalinoski
was phenomenal for Unicaja with 16 points on an efficient 6/9
shooting night in just 15 minutes.
The FIBA Intercontinental Cup
2024 continues tomorrow with Australian squad Tasmania JackJumpers
battling against Quimsa in the first match then Lebanese side Al
Riyadi going up against Unicaja still here at the Singapore Indoor
Stadium.
