Tag: World Cup

Celtics alum Luigi Datome officially retires as a player

Datome played for Boston for a total of 18 games in the latter half of the Celtics’ 2014-15 NBA season, putting up 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Former Boston Celtics forward Luigi Datome officially retired from the sport as a player after his final contest for the Italian National Team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per multiple reports.

Datome, one of Italy’s most renowned basketball players, bid adieu to his playing career after a loss to Slovenia during the World Cup.

Despite the loss, Datome received a standing ovation after he was subbed out for the last time, and players from both teams paused to pay their respects to the veteran.

“It’s one of the incredible kind gestures I received this summer,” Datome said via Sports Inquirer’s Jonas Terrado. “I thank the fans for the applause and to the opponents for stopping the game to show respect.”

“I feel lucky, humbled, grateful, and blessed because I felt all the kind words that I get,” he added.

Datome played 18 games for Boston in the latter half of the 2014-15 season, averaging 5.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

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What is your reaction to Team USA losing to the Germany in the 2023 FIBA World Cup

Basketball fans around the world are now going to get the matchup with the Canadian National Team, though not in the way they likely thought.

What did you think of the U.S. losing to Germany in the 2023 FIBA World Cup semifinals?

Basketball fans around the world are going to get the matchup with the Canada, though not for the medal they likely were expecting.

Still, this seems like a good outcome for the sport overall with other countries dominating the tournament. And the U.S. has some silver linings as well. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and second-year big man Paolo Banchero appear poised to take a big leap forward in the NBA in 2023-24.

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning and Denver Nuggets writer Matt Brooks discussed the World Cup action to date on a recent episode of the “Garden Report” podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Nikola Jovic trolls Dillon Brooks as Canada falls to Serbia in World Cup semifinals

After defeating Canada in Friday’s World Cup semifinal, Serbia’s Nikola Jovic got in some light-hearted trolling by mimicking Dillon Brooks’ shadow-boxing celebration.

After an outstanding performance (before a fourth-quarter ejection) in Wednesday’s quarterfinal win at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks made headlines by shadow boxing in the arena tunnel — complete with boxing gloves — as he awaited his Canadian teammates to exit the floor postgame.

Unfortunately for Brooks, there was no opportunity for him to repeat that celebration Friday. Canada fell to Serbia, 95-86 (box score), in the World Cup semifinals. With 16 points and 3 rebounds, Brooks finished as his team’s second-leading scorer. He shot 5-of-12 overall (41.7%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%).

There was, however, a celebration for second-year Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic. In light-hearted trolling, the Serbian starter did his own postgame shadow-boxing act in that same tunnel.

Canada will conclude its World Cup run with a showdown in Sunday’s bronze-medal game against the United States, which lost to Germany in another upset on Friday night. That could mean a perimeter matchup of Brooks versus Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.

Until then, here’s a look back at highlights, analysis, interviews and postgame reaction from Canada’s disappointing loss Friday.

Rockets assistant Royal Ivey coaches South Sudan to 2024 Olympics

Led by #Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, South Sudan recently clinched a spot in the 2024 Olympics. It’s the young nation’s first Olympic berth in any team sport.

The Republic of South Sudan became the world’s youngest nation and Africa’s 54th country on July 9, 2011. Until 2019, there wasn’t an indoor basketball arena in the country.

But that’s when former NBA player Luol Deng became president of the South Sudan Basketball Federation. With Deng’s  connections to the NBA and G League, he brought players such as the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wenyen Gabriel and G League MVP Carlik Jones to visit the new country, all while recruiting other talented players and coaches to join them.

One of those recruited was Royal Ivey, who is now an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has more:

Three summers ago, Deng tapped former NBA player and longtime friend Royal Ivey to be the team’s head coach. Ivey, an assistant with the Rockets, started practices on concrete floors and outdoor courts that were sometimes flooded.

As a result of a 101-78 victory over Angola at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, South Sudan’s Bright Stars have secured Africa’s lone 2024 Olympics bid. It’s the nation’s first Olympic berth in any sport.

According to Windhorst, the success comes “with a team filled with refugees and the children of refugees from the war-torn nation.”

Ivey, who mentored Deng over two decades ago when he arrived at the same high school in New Jersey, said after his team clinched:

It’s been a humbling journey. I had heartaches, I have a lot of ebbs and flows, and it’s a great feeling right now. A year ago we were practicing outside with eagles flying around while we were practicing and the courts were flooded. Like to go from there to come and play in front of these fans in the Philippines (Manila), and I’m on cloud nine right now.

Read on for an assortment highlights, interviews and postgame reaction from Manila, including remarks from Ivey. South Sudan finished its 2023 FIBA World Cup run with a 3-2 record.

Canada’s World Cup coach applauds defensive clinic by Dillon Brooks

“Dillon [Brooks] put on a defensive clinic, and it should be in a FIBA museum at some point,” says Jordi Fernandez, head coach of Canada’s national team.

On both ends of the court, and particularly on defense, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks has made quite an impression with his play for Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Brooks was a force, yet again, in Wednesday’s quarterfinals win over Slovenia, which sent Canada into Friday’s semifinal versus Serbia. Brooks spent significant time covering Slovenia’s Luka Doncic, a superstar with the rival Dallas Mavericks, and helped limit the perennial NBA MVP contender to 8-of-20 shooting (40.0%).

Jordi Fernandez, head coach of Canada’s men’s basketball national team, was blunt in his assessment of Brooks’ showing versus Slovenia. Aris Barkas of EuroHoops.net captured his comments from Manila:

I think yesterday we did a great job as a team defensively, and especially Dillon put on a defensive clinic. It should be in a FIBA museum at some point.

Complete video of Fernandez’ comments is available below. As for what’s next, the tip of Friday’s semifinal between Canada and Serbia is 3:45 a.m. Central, with the game televised on ESPN+.

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PHOTOS: Dillon Brooks duels Luka Doncic as Canada advances to World Cup semifinals

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he does that stuff really good,” Luka Doncic said of his World Cup matchup with Dillon Brooks.

Basketball fans around the globe enjoyed the full Dillon Brooks experience during Wednesday’s 2023 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals matchup in Manila between Canada and Slovenia.

Brooks, who will play for the Houston Rockets in the 2023-24 NBA season, had 14 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-7 (71.4% FG) overall and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Defensively, Brooks made life difficult for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shot just 8-of-20 from the field (40.0%) as Canada downed Slovenia to advance to the semifinals, 100-89 (box score).

Naturally, there was also some extracurricular activity. Brooks often blew kisses to a booing crowd in Manila, and with Canada holding a large fourth-quarter lead, he picked up a second technical foul for taunting and was ejected. Shortly thereafter, Doncic was ejected for picking up his own second technical, seemingly agitated by Brooks.

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he [Brooks] does that stuff really good,” Doncic said postgame.

With the win, Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where a matchup versus Serbia awaits on Friday.

In photos, here’s a look back at Wednesday’s activity. Highlights, analysis, interviews, and postgame reaction are available here.

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Dillon Brooks excels before ejection as Canada routs Slovenia, reaches World Cup semifinals

#Rockets forward Dillon Brooks had another strong game versus Slovenia as Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals. He also made headlines with a late ejection.

Coming off a brilliant performance in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks did much of the same for Canada in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

Brooks had 14 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes, shooting 5-of-7 (71.4% FG) overall and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%). Defensively, Brooks made life very difficult for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shot 8-of-20 from the field (40%) as Canada downed Slovenia to advance to the semifinals, 100-89 (box score).

Naturally, there was also some extracurricular activity. Brooks often blew kisses to a booing crowd in Manila, and with Canada holding a large fourth-quarter lead, he picked up a second technical foul for taunting and was ejected. Shortly thereafter, Doncic was ejected for picking up his own second technical, seemingly agitated by Brooks.

“A lot of people don’t like him, but I respect him for what he does, and he does that stuff really good,” Doncic said postgame of Brooks.

With the win, Canada advanced to the World Cup semifinals, where a matchup versus Serbia looms on Friday.

Read on for highlights, analysis, interviews, and social media reaction to Brooks’ strong showing versus Doncic and Slovenia.