Day 2 of the group phase ended on Monday with three African victories: South Sudan, Cape Verde and Côte d'Ivoire. Betinho Gomes (22 pts), Carlik Jones (21 pts) and Nisré Mimi Zouzoua (17 pts) were decisive for their respective teams. However, it should be noted that Rondae Hollis Jefferson (39 pts) and Luka Dončić (34 pts, 10 rbds) were the day's top performers.
Betinho Gomes sets Capo free
Cape Verde has won its first game at the 2023 World Basketball Championship. The Cape Verdeans got the better of Venezuela (81-75) in a match counting for Day 2 of Group F.
At 38, Betinho Gomes was the best Cape Verdean performer on Day 2. The winger from Dolomiti Energia Trento in LegA (Italy's 1st division) excelled himself with (22 pts, 3 rbds, 1 assist) for a +20 rating in 26 minutes of play. He has registered 13.5 pts, 2.5 rbds and 0.5 assists since the start of the tournament. Betinho Gomes can also play in post 2 and has good penetration in the paint. He's quick on the counter-attack and can shoot 3-pointers. However, the contributions of Will Tavares (20 pts, 2 rbds, 3 assists) and Ivan Almeida (18 pts, 6 rbds, 2 assists) should be noted. Together with Betinho Gomes (22 pts), they scored 60 of the 81 pts for Cape Verde, who will meet Slovenia (qualified) on Wednesday for a place in the next round.
Carlik Jones again decisive
South Sudan also picked up their first World Cup finals victory, overcoming China (89-69) in Group B. Carlik Jones, who scored a sparkling 35 points against Puerto Rico, showed off his talent once again. The Chicago Bulls point guard contributed (21 pts, 2 rbds, 6 assists) in 29 minutes of play. He finished the match with a +18 rating. Jones was assisted by three players with more than 10 pts.
They were Kuany Ngor Kuany (16 pts, 1 rbd, 4 assists), Anunwa Nuni Omot (14 pts, 3 rbds, 2 assists) and Marial Shayok (13 pts, 3 rbds, 2 assists). The South Sudanese team reacted well, especially in terms of rebounding: 34 to 28. Omot's team only lost 5 shots compared to 11 for China.Now it's up to them to secure their place in the second round against Serbia on Tuesday.
The finish. 💯
The jubilation. 😤#FIBAWC x #WinForSouthSudan 🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/2BKpoFN6rN— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 28, 2023
Reigning African vice-champion Côte d'Ivoire also picked up its 1st victory in this 19th edition of the Basketball World Cup 2023. The Elephants got the better of Iran (71-69) at the end of a thrilling game.
And it was 24-year-old guard Maxence Dadiet (10 pts, 4 rbds, 3 assists) who put in the best Ivorian performance.He scored a +16 rating and played in all the World Cup qualifiers.In addition to Dadiet's performance, Nisré Mimi Zouzoua (17 pts, 4 rbds, 1 assist) is also noteworthy.He was Côte d'Ivoire's top scorer for the game. Côte d'Ivoire will play Brazil in the second round this Wednesday. Hollis Jefferson "toizes" Dončić
Jordanian strong winger Rondae Hollis Jefferson blackened the score sheet on this 2nd day.He came close to a double-double (39 pts, 9 rbds, 2 assists, +32 rating). He is the tournament's top scorer in a single game. The Chester, Pennsylvania native erased Luka Dončić's 37 pts against Venezuela.Rondae Hollis Jefferson is a former NBA player. He played in Brooklyn, Toronto and Portland. A former Besiktas and Atléticos de San Germán player, the strong winger played for Jeonju KCC Egis last season. However, his team lost to New Zealand (95-87) after extra time.Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić confirms his status as a world star on the orange ball with every outing.
The Slovenian notched up his first double-double (34 pts, 10 rbds). He added 6 assists to his tally.Dončić had the best rating of the day (+36).He is the top scorer of the 2023 World Basket after 2 days with 71 pts.
