PORTLAND — Over 100 NBA scouts and executives packed the Coach K gym on Nike’s campus this past week for the Nike Hoop Summit to not only watch 12 of the top U.S. players practice and scrimmage but also 12 international players from 12 different countries, including Qatar, Lithuania, Ghana and the Bahamas. To conclude the festivities, the 24 players played a FIBA-ruled game Saturday night at the Moda Center, home for the Portland Trail Blazers.
During the game between Team USA and Team World, it felt like more than just a high school all-star game with players competing from the jump. It was a two-point game at the half and both teams kept it close until halfway through the fourth quarter. Team USA went up by 10 points and Team World didn’t have an answer, with Team USA pulling away and getting the 98-75 win. It was an evenly matched game for three quarters with a few future NBA stars sharing the court.
Team USA was led by Duke commit Cooper Flagg, who hit early foul trouble in the first half but really came alive in the second half, hitting 3s, making shots off the dribble and catching lobs. Flagg finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in the win. Also leading the charge for Team USA was 6-foot-9 wing Asa Newell. The Georgia commit played well both inside and outside the paint, netting 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
“When you put this jersey on and you’re representing your country, it means something more,” Flagg said after the game. “There’s a lot of talent on the World Team and all week we were hearing that they were better than us so this game definitely meant more.”
This was the most talented World team in recent memory with five high-major college commits and the No. 1 player in the high school junior class, AJ Dybantsa, who led all players with 21 points. French point guard Nolan Traore was a steady floor general all game and got to the rim with ease, finishing with 18 points and four assists. Baylor commit VJ Edgecombe was also solid in the backcourt and added 17 points and five rebounds in the loss.
“Every country has hoopers,” Edgecombe told Yahoo Sports. “It’s becoming more…
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