USA vs. Spain: Schedule and Preview for U17 World Basketball Championships
Basketball fans who don't want to wait for the Olympics to start can get their hoop fix with the U17 World Basketball Championships as Team USA prepares to take on Spain in the tournament semifinals.
Behind head coach Don Showalter's pressure defense that features full-court pressure the entire game, Team USA has got off to an impressive 6-0 start, after a 113-59 victory over Canada in the quarterfinals that saw five Americans score in double-figures, led by 22 from point guard Tyus Jones.
Through six games the Americans are averaging 101.7 points per game, while allowing only 58.8, outscoring the opposition by a whopping 42.8 points per game.
Spain enters the semifinals with a 4-2 mark and is coming off a 64-57 win on Friday to China where 6'10" center Ilimane Diop scored 26 points.
There's a lot at stake as the winner has a spot wrapped up in the finals where they could potentially take on Croatia, who also entered the quarterfinals unbeaten.
Here's a look at everything you need to know about the U17 World Basketball Championship semifinals.
When: Saturday, July 7, Time TBD
Where: Kaunas, Lithuania
Watch: FIBATV.com
Player to Watch: Justise Winslow, Team USA
Winslow is a 6'6" forward from Houston, TX and is coming off back-to-back strong performances, recording double-doubles in wins over China and Canada.
After averaging only 5.0 points and 5.1 rebounds through the first four games of the tournament, Winslow has exploded to average 14.5 points and 12.5 rebounds the past two games.
Winslow is also getting it done on the defensive end of the floor, averaging 4.0 steals during the last four games including seven in a win against France.
Prediction
USA 102, Spain 63
