2019 prospect RJ Barrett leads Canada’s upset win over USA in FIBA World Cup semifinals
Top-ranked 2019 prospect RJ Barrett has been as good as advertised in the 2017 FIBA World Cup.
RJ Barrett poured in 38 points to lead Canada to a 99-87 upset victory over Team USA in the semifinals of the 2017 U19 FIBA World Cup held in Cairo, Egypt. Canada’s victory was their first over the U.S. in World Cup play, which dates back to 1979, but, more importantly, sends them to the gold medal game.
Barrett, the consensus No.1 prospect in the class of 2019, put on a phenomenal show on Saturday afternoon. The 6’7″ wing showed off his elite athleticism carving up the American’s defense on a consistent basis. He drew 12 fouls on Team USA and was 12 of 15 from the charity stripe. Plus, he got his perimeter game going a little, knocking down 2-of-6 three-point attempts.
Barrett made 12 of 25 shots overall. Barrett hit the boards hard, collecting 13 caroms to post his second double-double of the tournament. He also doled out five dimes while turning the ball over just once. However, foul trouble was once again an issue. Barrett, who fouled out, has been whistled for at least three fouls in three of Canada’s six games.
The Mississauga, Ontario, native will likely be named the Most Outstanding Player of the U19 World Cup. Barrett is currently averaging 22.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.7 rebounds — all while shooting 54.5% from the field.
Barrett will be a junior at Montverde Academy (Fla.) this upcoming year, though he may reclassify to the class of 2018. The 17-year old will reportedly make a decision about reclassifying in August. Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, and Duke are among the leaders for the undecided prospect per Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com.
Barrett was not the only Canadian prospect to have a big game. Incoming Oregon freshman Abu Kigab had a solid all-around game despite not shooting the ball well. Kigab finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. UAB sophomore wing Nate Darling contributed 13 points while Harvard freshman Danilo Djuricic added eight points, including two key fourth three-pointers.
The game went back and forth at the start of the contest. The U.S. used a 9-2 spurt over the final 2:22 of the opening quarter to take a 23-17 lead. But Canada responded with an 11-1 run to pull ahead 33-31 with 4:16 left in the second quarter. Barrett concluded the scoring of the half by sinking all three of his free three throws to give him 25 points.
Trailing 45-42 entering the third, USA scored 11 of the first 19 points of the second half to grab a 53-52 lead. However, Canada eventually re-took the momentum and controlled the rest of the game. Canada outscored the U.S. 54-45 in the second half, overall. The Canadians limited the Americans to 32.9% shooting from the field. The USA was also not very good at the charity stripe — making just 29 of 42 free throws.
It wasn’t all bad for the U.S., which suffered its first loss since 2011. The USA grabbed an astounding 30 offensive rebounds and collected 62 boards overall. Auburn sophomore Austin Wiley picked up his second straight double-double as he compiled 13 points to go along with a USA U19 record-tying 17 rebounds.
Kentucky freshman PJ Washington also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Oregon sophomore Payton Pritchard tossed in 16 points, and Purdue’s Carsen Edwards tallied 12.
The U.S. will take on Spain (5-1) in the bronze medal game on Sunday. The loss to Canada dropped the USA’s all-time record to 90-14.
Canada (5-1) will face Italy in their first ever gold medal game. Canada had its best ever finish in World Cup play in 2015, finishing fifth. In the meanwhile, Italy has earned a silver and bronze medal in six appearances. Italy (5-1) defeated Spain 66-63 in the other semifinal.