Canadian JR National Team Advances to First EVER FIBA America Championship!
The Canadian Juniors met with a strong shooting team in Argentina at the FIBA Americas semifinals.
It would take overtime to get the job done but Canada would make history once again, advancing to their first ever FIBA America finals after a 91-82 victory.
This was the first game of the tournament that Canada was truly tested.
Dillon Brooks lead Canada once again with a game-high 29 points, and is leading the tournament in scoring at 26 PPG. The Mississauga, ON product has been unstoppable, shooting 33-52 (63%) from the field.
Brooks shot an extremely efficient 6/7 from the field and 16/17 from the charity stripe against ARG.
Montaque Gill-Caesar, who posted 24 points, recognized that his physical strength outmatched Argentinian defenders and took advantage by sizing down his opponents and finishing with his back to the basket.
With Dillon Brooks in early foul trouble, Caesar-Gill was in attack mode and was the bucket getter we’ve known him to be.
Canada had control for most of the game however Argentina came alive down the stretch in the fourth quarter for a 12-0 run to tie the game and send it into overtime.
It was in the extra frame that Munis Tutu made big plays, setting up teammates and hitting clutch free throws to seal the deal.
British Columbia’s Drew Urquhart hit a big three, which cannot go unrecognized!
Tutu, the floor general had his best game of the tournament registering 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and ZERO turnovers.
Jose Vildoza had a strong effort for Argentina with 26 points, but it wasn’t enough as Canada was able to pull it out.
The final opponent on schedule is the powerhouse USA team, that has yet to be tested all tournament; they defeated Argentina 118-64.
The match ups will be interesting.
Can the Red & White weather the storm?
Munis Tutu VS Tyus Jones. Dillon Brooks VS Stanley Johnson. Chris Egi VS Myles Turner. Gill-Caesar VS Justise Winslow.
Canada VS USA.
7:30 PM ET.
