WOMEN: USA 83, OPP 80
MEN: USA 98, OPP 75
The 2024 Nike Hoop Summit saw the men and women USA teams match up against World Select Teams.
WOMEN'S TEAM NOTES
Starting Out: The USA women started Mikayla Blakes, Joyce Edwards, Mackenly Randolph, Kennedy Smith and Allie Ziebell.
Going Running: The USA found themselves digging out of a hole for the better part of three quarters. By the 2:52 mark of the third quarter, the team trailed by 17 points (54-71). However, the Americans came to life late in the third, starting a 20-2 run capped by a Smith layup with 7:25 remaining in the fourth frame which gave the U.S. its first lead since the first quarter (74-73).
The game was tight from that point on, as neither team led by more than four points.
Gimme That: The USA recorded 14 turnovers to the World Select Team’s 34. The U.S. capitalized on its opponents' mistakes, converting those giveaways into 38 points.
Feeling the Pressure: The Americans pressured the World Select Team all night which culminated in 21 steals for the red, white and blue.
WOMEN'S PLAYER NOTES
Lucky Number 20: Edwards led the USA in the scoring department with 25 points (9-23 FG, 7-11 FT), marking her third game scoring 20+ points with USA Basketball, having two such games last summer as a member of the 2023 Women’s U19 National Team. She shot 66.6% (4-6 FG) from the field and 100% (6-6 FT) from the free throw line in the second half. She also added nine rebounds and five steals.
Good Company: Smith followed close behind Edwards with 24 points (7-16 FG, 8-11 FT) in her USA Basketball competitive debut. She joined Edwards and Mikaylah Williams (22 points, 4/8/23) as the third player to score 20+ points in the Nike Hoop Summit.
Ten and Up: Randolph scored 11 points (3-9 FG) in the game. She was the third and final USA player to finish in double figures.
I’m New Here: Blakes, Jordan Lee, Arianna Roberson and Smith made their USA Basketball competitive debuts tonight.
MEN'S TEAM NOTES
Starting Out: The USA men started Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, Ian Jackson, Cooper Flagg and Asa Newell.
New Lead: The Men’s Nike Hoop Summit game was tightly contested throughout. The USA and World Select Teams were tied 12 times and traded leads 14 times in the contest. The U.S. went ahead on a Flagg fast break dunk at 5:09 and held on for good until the final buzzer.
Final Push: The U.S. pulled ahead in the final frame, outscoring the World Select 30-15 in the quarter. The U.S. shot 60% from the field (12-20 FG) and 33% from three (2-6 3FG) while holding its opponent to 37.5% from the field (6-16 FG) and 14.3% from beyond the arc (1-7 3FG).
Board Game: The Americans pulled down 50 rebounds (17 OR) to the World Select Team’s 28 boards. They are the first U.S. team since 2007 (55 rebs, 4/7/2007) to finish with 50+ rebounds.
MEN'S PLAYER NOTES
Flagg Day: Flagg led the USA in the win with 19 points (8-11 FG, 1-2 3FG, 2-2 FT) to go with 11 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa (15 pts, 11 rebs, 4/12/2019) was the last World player to record a double-double. The last American to do so was Bol Bol (12 pts, 14 rebs) in the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit.
Double Up: Newell recorded 17 points (6-12 FG) and 10 rebounds in the game. He and Flagg join Jaren Jackson Jr. (13 pts, 10 rebs, 4/7/2017) and Jarred Vanderbilt (19 pts, 10 rebs, 4/7/2017) as the only U.S. teammates to record double-doubles in the same game.
I'm New Here: Bailey, Isaiah Evans and Morez Johnson Jr. made their USA Basketball competitive debuts in Portland.
A game recap will be published on usab.com.
For news and information, follow USA Basketball Communications on Twitter.