BallinEurope’s friends over at Net Scouts Basketball are involved in an interesting tournament currently going on in China. Net Scouts brings their “USA All-Star Men’s Team” to the big country to compete in the Four Nations Tournament, consisting of nine games in two weeks against the home country’s national team, Team Latvia and the Canada Federation’s developmental squad in Chongqing and Yanan.
In the Americans’ first game, Latvia won in a tight one: Net Scouts’ official report notes that “The USA rallied from a ten-point deficit with 2:48 to play, tying the game with 55 seconds remaining on a three-pointer by Devin Sweetney. The USA stopped Latvia on the next possession and had the ball with 28 seconds on the clock. Derek Needham missed a three-pointer off the back rim with 10 seconds remaining. Latvia secured the long rebound and got into transition. They missed a quick shot but the USA could not secure the rebound. Latvia pulled down the offensive rebound, was fouled and made both shots from the charity line to win the game.” The final score was 67-65.
In the other match, the Canadians topped China, 70-66, with Kyle Wiltjer (of University of Kentucky) and Jordan Bachynski (Arizona State) scoring 11 points and Dwight Powell (Stanford) adding 10.
Net Scouts’ participation in the Four Nations Tournament is the result of its International Recruiting Service for collegiate and international U20 players. Included on this Team USA roster are PG Derek Needham (Fairfield University); G Oliver McNally, G/F Devin Sweetney, C Isaac Butts (Moncton Miracles); PG Derrick Rodgers (University of Portland); G Mike Moore (Hofstra); G/F Robert Crawford (University of Central Arkansas); F/G Roger Franklin 6’5; F/G (University of North Texas); F Jonathan Morse (Metro State); C Mike Davis (Atlético Cordón) and C Jason Conrad (Chico State University).
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