Canada cruised to a convincing 110-84 victory over Puerto Rico on Friday in Hamilton, powered by one other excellent efficiency from NBA celebrity Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder guard completed with 26 factors on 9-of-14 taking pictures, whereas additionally contributing 4 assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in entrance of his hometown followers.
“It’s superb,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “It’s particular. I don’t take these alternatives as a right to have the ability to play in entrance of the those that watched me develop up and are from the identical metropolis I’m from… It was tremendous enjoyable on the market for positive.”
Andrew Nembhard additionally starred for Canada, scoring 23 factors whereas pulling down 5 of his seven three-point makes an attempt.
He added 4 rebounds and 4 assists as Canada constructed a double-digit lead early and stayed comfortably in management all through the sport.
Dillon Brooks chipped in 15 factors, with 11 coming earlier than halftime, serving to Canada take an 18-point lead into the break.
Canada’s offense was traditionally environment friendly, making 46 discipline targets to tie the Americas Qualifiers file beforehand shared with america.
Solely New Zealand has made extra baskets in a World Cup Qualifiers recreation, recording 51 towards Hong Kong in 2017.
NBA stars energy 🇨🇦 Canada to historic offensive efficiency 💪#FIBAWC x #StepItUp https://t.co/eXeQDWxD36
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) July 4, 2026
