The US secured a landmark win over Greece in their first appearance in the UAE on Saturday.
In front of a sold-out crowd and Etihad Arena, day two of the inaugural International Basketball Week, featured a double-header which saw Mexico emerge victorious over Lebanon in the evening’s earlier game.
In the first game of the night, Mexico triumphed 88 – 70 over Lebanon with Joshua Ibarra leading Mexico with a team-high 20 points. Lebanon and Mexico join Egypt, Germany, Greece and the US in International Basketball Week, a series of exhibition games ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan from 25th August 25 to 10th September.
In the second game of the evening, Team US sealed a 108-86 win over Greece. Competing for the first time in the region, Team USA took an early 32-17 first quarter lead and never looked back. The US were led by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards who scored a game-high 21 points. Greece was led by Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis with 12 points apiece.
Tonight, sees Germany take on Greece with Team USA in action again, this time against Germany, on Sunday night.