The Toronto Raptors player RJ Barrett, a former Duke basketball one-and-done, helped lead Canada to an 88-85 victory over Spain on Friday, concluding the country’s 3-0 run through Group A at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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Barrett is definitely a strong candidate for Olympic MVP after averaging 21.0 points while shooting an incredible 59.5 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from three, and 87.5 percent from the free throw line.
In Group C action, South Sudan’s Khaman Maluach, a rookie center for the Blue Devils playing in Paris, and Jayson Tatum, the champion of the Boston Celtics, who is the only basketball player from the United States to represent Duke, have both received little playing time. Neither player has accrued more than five rebounds or points.
After facing Puerto Rico (0-2) at 11:15 a.m. ET on Saturday (NBC), Tatum and Team USA (2-0) will wrap up their Group C play. At 3 p.m. (CNBC), Maluach and South Sudan (1-1) will play Serbia (1-1) and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals, which are held on Tuesday. The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, and the gold medal game is scheduled to begin on Saturday. Following the completion of the conflict between Serbia and South Sudan, brackets will be made public.
Naturally, Canada punched its ticket to the quarterfinals. Regardless matter how the Americans perform against Puerto Rico, Team USA is also included. The result against Serbia will determine the future of South Sudan.
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