Tag: Jack White

2023 FIBA World Cup: Australia finds rhythm in 88-67 exhibition win vs. South Sudan

Recapping Australia’s 88-67 exhibition win over South Sudan.

After suffering an upset loss to Brazil, Australia sharpened its blade in its  third exhibition game by dominating South Sudan in an 88-67 win. The Boomers enjoyed the one-sided win as they led by as many as 29 points.

It was a more mellow game for Josh Giddey. He finished with six points on 1-of-6 shooting, nine assists and four rebounds in 20 minutes. He also went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Australia didn’t need him on his “A” game against South Sudan to blow them out.

For Jack White, this was his best offensive outing yet with the Boomers and the defense continues to be a positive for him as an athletic big. In 18 minutes off the bench, he had eight points on 2-of-4 shooting and went 4-of-6 from the free-throw line to go along with three rebounds and three steals.

The full Australian box score can be viewed below:

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This was a nice palate cleanser for Australia after their lethargic showing in their previous game. The Boomers will need more performances like these when the games start to matter on Aug. 25 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Let’s look at highlights and instant reactions from Australia’s 21-point exhibition win over South Sudan.

PHOTOS: Best images from Australia’s 90-86 exhibition loss to Brazil

The best photos from Australia’s 90-86 exhibition loss to Brazil as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

As the 2023 FIBA World Cup draws nearer, Australia looks like it has a few things to work out still prior to the start of the tournament.

Following a one-sided win in their first exhibition game, Australia lost to Brazil, 90-86, in their second friendly.

The Boomers struggled to score efficiently all game. Josh Giddey finished with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds and four assists. He also went 5-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, Jack White had a much better outing as he collected nine points and four rebounds off the bench.

Let’s look at some of the best photos from Australia’s four-point loss in this exhibition game to Brazil.

2023 FIBA World Cup: Brazil upsets Australia in exhibition, 90-86

A full recap of Australia’s 90-86 exhibition loss to Brazil as they prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup:

Serving as quite the juxtaposition from their first exhibition game, Australia couldn’t overcome a slow start in an 90-86 loss to Brazil.

Australia trailed Brazil, 23-13, following the first quarter. The middle quarters helped the Boomers get back in the game; they outscored Brazil, 58-41.

Australia’s seven-point lead entering the fourth quarter quickly disappeared. Brazil used a 26-15 scoring advantage to upset the Boomers.

Despite the loss, Josh Giddey had a good outing that displayed his ability to draw contact. In 27 minutes, he finished with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds and four assists. He went 5-of-9 from the free-throw line and 1-of-6 from 3 — despite both being low shooting numbers, it’s still an encouraging sign to see the 20-year-old draw consistent trips to the line under FIBA rules.

Jack White also had a much better outing compared to what he did against Venezuela. In 11 minutes off the bench, he finished with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and four rebounds. He was part of Australia’s second unit that brought them back into the game with an energy-filled second quarter.

The results of these exhibitions don’t matter, so this was a golden opportunity to see how the new-look Australia team would look in crunch time with Giddey as the main ball-handler.

The first batch of results wasn’t optimal as Giddey struggled in the fourth quarter against Brazil, but that’s the purpose of these types of games. This can serve as a learning experience that can help Australia for when the games will actually start to matter starting Aug. 25.

Australia’s full box score can be viewed below:

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Let’s look at highlights and instant reactions from Australia’s close loss as Giddey toughed out a 20-point performance.

PHOTOS: Best images from Australia’s 97-41 exhibition win over Venezuela

The best photos from Australia’s blowout exhibition win over Venezuela.

Prior to starting the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Australia will play a slate of exhibition games.

Josh Giddey enters the international tournament as the face of the program, and he certainly played like it on Monday. He flirted with a triple-double: 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a one-sided 97-41 win over Venezuela.

Fellow Oklahoma City Thunder player Jack White also had fun with four points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Let’s look at some of the best photos from the 56-point friendly win as Giddey prepares to take Australia deep in the World Cup.

2023 FIBA World Cup: Josh Giddey leads Australia to lopsided 97-41 win over Venezuela

Full highlights, instant reactions from Australia’s 97-41 exhibition win over Venezuela.

In a dominating win, Josh Giddey quickly proved why his head coach was justified for dubbing him the face of the program at just 20 years old.

Giddey headlined Australia’s lopsided 97-41 win over Venezuela in its first exhibition game. A 27-7 second-quarter scoring advantage helped put this game to bed. Australia entered halftime with a 54-23 lead that essentially turned the second half into garbage time.

The talent gap between teams was quickly evident. Giddey toyed with Venezuela using flashy thread-the-needle passes throughout the contest. In 24 minutes, he collected 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, nine assists and eight rebounds for the near triple-double. On the flip side, he also committed six turnovers as he was a bit more daring with his playmaking this game.

Fellow Oklahoma City Thunder player Jack White also appeared in this exhibition for Australia. In 16 minutes off the bench, he finished with four points and eight rebounds. He signed a two-year deal with OKC this offseason.

The full box for the Boomers can be viewed below:

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Let’s look at instant reactions and highlights from Giddey’s Team Australia debut as they prepare to play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Grading the OKC Thunder’s 2023 offseason additions

Handing out a grade for the Thunder’s newest faces.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a busy first couple of days of free agency.

It started off on Friday night when they completed a trade with the Miami Heat to acquire the injured Victor Oladipo’s $9.5 million expiring salary and two future second-round picks.

On Saturday, the Thunder finally landed international superstar Vasilije Micic after years of teasing with a three-year deal. Later that day, the Thunder also added Jack White to a two-year deal after spending last season with the Denver Nuggets on a two-way contract.

On Sunday, the Thunder continued to fortify their draft resources by acquiring Patty Mills‘ expiring salary for additional draft compensation.

Barring something dramatic, this should relatively end the Thunder’s notable offseason moves. The Thunder will likely carry the allowed 20 players on standard deals into training camp and let them battle it out for the 15 spots.

With that said, let’s look at all of the new Thunder additions and give them a grade. For the draft edition of grading the selections of Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson, click here.

Report: OKC Thunder sign Jack White to 2-year deal

The Thunder continue to stay active in free agency.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to stay active in the opening weekend of free agency.

The Thunder signed Jack White to a two-year deal, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The 25-year-old spent last season with the Denver Nuggets on a two-way deal. In 17 games, he averaged 1.2 points and one rebound.

In 15 regular-season games with the G League’s Grand Rapids Gold, White averaged 19.5 points on 54.4% shooting, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. In 12 Showcase Cup games with the Gold, he averaged 17.2 points on 60% shooting, nine rebounds and 2.1 assists.

White went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft out of Duke, where he spent four seasons. Before signing with the Nuggets, White played three years in Australia’s NBL.

The Thunder continue to add to their roster. They signed Vasilije Micic to a three-year deal and traded for Victor Oladipo from the Miami Heat.

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Christian Braun among Nuggets to attend minicamp arranged by Jeff Green

Braun was reportedly among the players that attended a voluntary minicamp this week arranged by 14-year veteran Jeff Green.

Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun was reportedly among the players who attended this week’s minicamp arranged by 14-year veteran Jeff Green, according to Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.

Braun joined Green, Davon Reed, Zeke Nnaji and fellow rookies Peyton Watson and Jack White at the voluntary workout in Miami, Florida. Other players on the roster were invited but couldn’t attend due to prior engagements.

The session allowed the group of players the opportunity to get together and put in some work on the court. It was likely the rookies’ first time working out with Green, Reed and Nnaji, so the camp gave them a chance to begin building chemistry with their new teammates.

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The trio of rookies turned in strong outings in the Las Vegas Summer League and each offered a glimpse of his potential. Each figures to compete for minutes this season, which head coach Michael Malone is eager to watch unfold.

The gesture by Green to organize voluntary workouts with more than a month left until training camp begins certainly speaks volumes about his leadership and status on the team. The rookies should benefit by participating this week.

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