FIBA World Cup 2023: Paolo Banchero inspires USA to opening 99-72 win over New Zealand

Paris 2024

Banchero had a game-high 21 points from off the bench and four blocks as Steve Kerr's men came back from a second-quarter deficit in Manila's Mall of Asia Arena.

3 minBy Rory Jiwani
USA's top scorer Paolo Banchero takes a shot against New Zealand

(2023 Getty Images)

The United States overcame a dogged New Zealand side 99-71 in their Group C opener at the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday (26 August).

The reigning Olympic champions were given plenty to think about in the first half inside Manila's Mall of Asia Arena with Reuben Te Rangi hitting two three-pointers and a layup early in the second quarter to put the Tall Blacks in front.

But the USA's speed in transition was causing problems with a number of New Zealand players running into foul trouble.

Anthony Edwards and Jaren Jackson Jr started to take control of the game as the favourites took a 45-36 lead into the half-time break.

The third quarter saw Austin Reaves and Paolo Banchero stretch the USA lead as coach Steve Kerr gave game time to most of his roster, but their opponents were able to keep the scoreline respectable in a performance which should give them confidence for the games to come.

Banchero top-scored with 21 points in less than 19 minutes on the court and had four blocks, with Edwards posting 14 points and seven rebounds.

Te Rangi led New Zealand with 15 points as Shea Ili and Finn Delany weighed in with 12 points apiece.

LA Lakers guard Reaves was rapturously received by the fans in Manila and said afterwards, "They love the Lakers out here. It's special for me. I'm from a super small town. Not a lot of people expected me to be here representing our country. So for them to accept me the way that they accept me means a lot to me."

Coach Kerr spoke glowingly of Reaves and the rest of his youthful roster, saying, "I love watching these guys grow but it's not like they're untested. This guy (Reaves) kicked our butt in the Playoffs a few months ago. He may be young, Paolo may be young. We've got some young guys but we've got guys who can play and who have proven it in the NBA and the NBA Playoffs. They're fearless.

"I love watching them play and it's been an absolute joy to coach them just because of their eagerness to play together and to be selfless and to compete. It's really been a lot of fun to coach them and I have great confidence in them.

On the opening win, he commented, "A really good game for us to experience. New Zealand was great. They came out and were very physical right away and took it to us and we need to feel that because that's what these games are going to be like.

"But I love the way we responded and we feel like over 40 minutes we can wear teams down. It's hard to play that way, as physical as New Zealand was, it's hard to sustain that for 40 minutes and we feel like as long as we stay with it we can overcome a start like that - which we did very well and then eventually pulled away."

USA face Greece in their next game on Monday with New Zealand taking on Jordan.

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