That's more like it.
One day after opening the FIBA U17 World Championship with a close call against Greece, the United States responded with a 99-56 win over Angola on Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Harry Giles
Photo by Steven Maikoski/USA Basketball
"We had a lot of energy today," USA head coach Don Showalter said. "Our guys were really focused today because yesterday was a close game for us."
The USA – now 18-0 under Showalter in FIBA U17 World Championship play dating back to 2010 – got points from all 12 players on the roster, including a team-high 14 points from
Harry Giles of
Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.).
Giles also contributed six steals and four rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward was regarded by many as the top 2016 prospect in the country until suffering an injury while playing with USA Basketball last summer.
"Unselfishness is everything," Giles said. "When we play unselfish, we'll win all the time. All of us can go for 40 points (a game), but it's not about that. It's about we and not me. We have to share the ball and get everybody into the game."
Also finishing in double figures for the United States were
Terrance Ferguson (13 points),
Jayson Tatum (10) and
Caleb Swanigan (10).
Diamond Stone, who led the USA with a double-double Friday, grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to go along with eight points.
Silvio de Sousa, a promising 6-8 15-year-old, paced Angola with 17 points and seven rebounds.
Following a day off Sunday, the United States returns to Group A action Monday against Philippines.
