The FIBA World Cup 2023 is off to an explosive start, and players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada did not disappoint.
The 25-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder guard had a rousing FIBA World Cup 2023 debut, leading team Canada to a 95-65 rout of France on Friday, August 25, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 27 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. That performance made the Thunder star the first player to come up with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in their World Cup debut over the last 30 years, according to FIBA, The Athletic reported.
Moreover, the 6-foot-6 guard became only the third player to have at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a FIBA World Cup game since NBA players participated, according to HoopsHype.
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Yao Ming did the trick in 2002, while Bogdan Bogdanovic achieved the feat in 2019.
Yao, however, turned in those numbers four times. The first was when China won over Algeria on August 30, 2002, 96-82, where he exploded for 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks.
The Shanghai Giant wrapped up his campaign in the classification round of that FIBA World Cup with a bang on September 30, 2002, finishing with 27 points and 15 rebounds in a loss against Angola, FIBA.com reported.
For his part, Bogdanovic achieved the trick in a loss to Spain, 81-69, in the second round of the FIBA World in 2019. He finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
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