The FIBA Five that the Utah Jazz have overseas had an interesting set of debut games.
The Utah Jazz has five players in the FIBA World Cup currently, also hereby dubbed the FIBA Five, and each man has finished their first game in the FIBA World Cup. With just two games to go before the close of the first round, three teams are sitting pretty to move on to the second round of group play, while two teams need miracles to get back into competition.
We’re going to look at and break down the five players’ performances and their team’s results. Let’s start with the winners.
*Note: Remaining games indicate just the remaining opening-round games.
Simone Fontecchio – Italy wins against Angola (81-67)
27:05 minutes, 19 points, 8/14, 1/6 3, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, BPM+14, EFF 20
– Simone Fontecchio led Team Italy to an impressive win over Team Angola, dropping 19 points for his homeland. The Italians and the Philippines are the only two teams with Jazz players who play in the same group, so they’ll eventually clash and then we’ll see if Fontecchio is able to continue his impressive scoring output.
Remaining Games:
Sunday, Aug. 27 vs. Dominican Republic (2:00 a.m. MST/ESPN+)
Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Philippines (2:00 a.m. MST on ESPN+)
Kelly Olynyk – Canada wins against France (95-65)
23:14 minutes, 5/9, 2/5, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, BPM +19, EFF 17
– Kelly Olynyk had a big role in Team Canada’s win over France, helping them dismantle former Utah Jazz player Rudy Gay with an all-around effective performance.
Remaining Games:
Sunday, Aug.27 vs. Lebanon (3:45 a.m. MST/ ESPN+)
Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Latvia (7:30 a.m. MST/ ESPN+)
Walker Kessler – United States wins against New Zealand (99-72)
1:30 minutes, 0/1, BPM +2
– Walker Kessler continues to be kept to limited minutes despite having a big upside. Team USA cruises to an easy win over New Zealand, regardless.
And now for those who came up with losses in their first games.
Remaining Games:
Monday, Aug. 28 vs. Greece (6:30 a.m. MST/ESPN2)
Wednesday, Aug. 30 vs. Jordan (2:30 a.m. MST/ESPN2)
Lauri Markkanen – Finnland loses to Australia (98-72)
29:15 minutes, 7/17, 1/7 from three, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 TO, BPM -29, EFF 19
– Lauri Markannen struggled from three but was still the best player on the court for Team Finland, as they took on Team Australia. Only one other person besides Markkanen hit double-digit scoring figures and that was guard Sasu Salin
Remaining Games:
Sunday, Aug. 25 vs. Japan (6:10 a.m. MST/ ESPN+)
Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Germany (1:30 a.m. MST/ ESPN+)
Jordan Clarkson – Philippines loses to Dominican Republic (87-81)
34:31 minutes, 28 points, 9/24, 1/6 from 3, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 TOs, BPM-2, EFF 20
– Jordan Clarkson had a very good day, but like Markkanen and Fontecchio, came up short at the three-point line. The Dominican squad, led by Karl-Anthony Towns was just too much for the Jazz guard, who’s hoping to lead the Philippines to an unexpected advancement in the FIBA World Cup.
Remaining Games:
Sunday, Aug. 27 vs. Angola (6:00 a.m. MST/ESPN+)
Tuesday, Aug. 29 vs. Italy (6:00 a.m. MST/ESPN+)