Filipino-American guard Jalen Green was at the forefront of Team USA’s 97-40 thrashing of Mali in the FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina, Monday morning (Philippine time).
Green scored 15 points to lead USA’s wel-deployed attack, that saw five other players score in double figures. He also finished with three rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals.
The young American cagers are now on top of Group B with a 2-0 card.
Green, who came off the bench, made his first basket in the 4:48 mark of the opening quarter — a corner three-pointer off a Jeremy Roach assist that gave the USA a 13-4 advantage.
That set up the dismantling of the Malians, who have lost their second straight match and are now 0-2.
After two games, the 17-year-old Green — who traces his roots to Rizal — is averaging 13.0 points on 43.5 percent shooting, along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.
With him playing for Team USA, he will no longer be eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas as a local.
