On Sunday, one Warriors participant booked his ticket to the Paris Olympics, whereas one other Golden State participant and coach fell quick on the ultimate hurdle.
Let’s begin with the excellent news first.
Ahead Gui Santos and his Brazilian nationwide crew took down Latvia 94-69 within the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Event Finals.
Santos, who performed 27 minutes off the bench for Brazil, put up 12 factors, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in a giant win over hosts Latvia, led by NBA veteran Davis Bertans. Over the course of the Olympic qualifiers, the 2022 second-round choose Santos averaged 7.3 factors per sport on 48-percent taking pictures from the sector.
In Paris later this month, Brazil will face off in opposition to Japan, Germany and France in Group B, so Santos avoids any pleasant fireplace in opposition to teammate Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr in opposition to Staff USA for no less than the event’s group stage.
In the meantime, a few different members of the Warriors group did not fare fairly as nicely.
The Bahamas, that includes the Warriors’ new addition Buddy Hield and assistant coach Chris DeMarco, additionally entered Sunday only one win away from an Olympic berth. However DeMarco — who serves as Bahamas head coach — could not information his squad previous Spain, falling 86-78 in one other ultimate qualifier in Valencia.
Only a day after formally signing with the Warriors, Hield largely struggled from the ground. Although he led the Bahamas with 19 factors, the long-range specialist struggled from deep, hitting simply two of 10 makes an attempt from behind the arc. He added six rebounds but additionally turned the ball over 4 instances.
Former Warriors ahead Usman Garuba — who spent the 2023-24 NBA season with Golden State — had a productive sport off the bench for Spain. He accrued 10 factors on 3-for-5 taking pictures, along with 5 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Garuba now could be an unrestricted free agent after the Warriors declined his qualifying supply final month, however maybe his efficiency in opposition to DeMarco will maintain him on Golden State’s radar.
The Olympics’ group section will kick off July 27 as Spain takes on Australia, and Brazil faces France later that day. Curry, Kerr and Staff USA play their opening sport on July 28 in opposition to Serbia.
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