USA Men Get USA Basketball Showcase win over Slovenia

12 August 2023

USA 92, SLO 62

The United States are 2-0 on their road to the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup. In the second of five USA Basketball Showcase games, the U.S. came away with a wire-to-wire victory (92-62) over Slovenia at Carpena Sports Palace in Malaga, Spain.

The USA Basketball Showcase will span three continents (USA, ESP, UAE) and see the U.S. Men’s National Team take on some of the top teams in the World as it prepares for the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.

Next for the U.S. will be a tilt against host Spain. The U.S., along with Slovenia, are being hosted by the Spanish Basketball Federation for the governing body’s 100th anniversary.

View the USA-Slovenia box score here.

TEAM NOTES

Historically Speaking:  The U.S. men's national team program (junior and senior) is now 10-0 against Slovenia, with the seniors owning a 5-0 record.

The last time senior team faced Slovenia was at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The USA won 119-76.

Only three players on Slovenia’s roster had faced the USA at any level of FIBA competition. Jaka Blazic, Zoran Dragic and Aleksej Nikolic played in the 2014 World Cup.

Breaking It Open: The Americans were on the run the whole game, scoring 27 points on the break while limiting Slovenia to five fast break points.

Double-Digit Wins: The U.S. won tonight’s matchup by a margin of 30 points (92-62) after winning their first exhibition against Puerto Rico by 43 points (117-74). Since 1992, the USA has won its two opening exhibition games by 30+ points three times (2023, 2016, 1994).

PTs off TOs: The U.S. converted 16 points off turnovers in the game while limiting Slovenia to six. The U.S. finished with 13 steals, marking their second consecutive game with 10+ takeaways. Ten players recorded at least one steal for the U.S. in tonight’s contest.

Shot Chart: The team shot 49.4% (39-79 FG) from the field while holding Slovenia to 37.7% (23-61 FG) from the field. The U.S. has shot a combined 57.2% (87-152 FG) through two games.

PLAYER NOTES

Running of the Ants: Anthony Edwards finished with 15 points (7-14 FG) to go along with four rebounds and three steals. He has led the team in scoring and takeaways in both exhibitions thus far.

Making It a Point: Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton are the main facilitators through the first two games for the United States. Brunson (8 AST) led the team in passing while Haliburton (6 AST) followed closely behind. The two have accounted for 52.7% of the team’s assists (29-55) so far.

USA has Hart: After resting in the Puerto Rico game, Josh Hart made his USA Basketball debut tonight. He recorded two points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 14 minutes.