Exhibition Quotes: USA 82, France 46
• Box Score
• Game Story
USA head coach Don Showalter (USA Basketball)
On the game:
It was a typically international game – very physical, which was really good for our kids because they are not used to that physicality. So, we learned a lot tonight playing France, which was a very good team. I was really proud of our kids, the way they really played disciplined defense. We caused 27 turnovers for the game, which, obviously when you cause that many, you are going to score a lot.
What was the change that allowed the USA to pull away?
We got some stops, and then we converted. I think both teams really had trouble scoring tonight, just because of the defense. It was kind of like a boxing match tonight. Each team delivered punches. I thought our kids really negotiated the physicality well as the game went on.
De'Vion Harmon (Guyer H.S./Corinth, Texas)
On the game:
We played alright. In the first half, we were kind of slow. That’s what happens when you don’t warm up that well. But, we came back in the second half, and we turned it up. We started getting stops on defense. But, what I really liked tonight was that we played through the physicality. The refs weren’t calling much. We just had to stay mentally tough, and we came out with the win.
How much will a physical game help this team?
This game is going to help us tremendously. We have another one tomorrow night (June 27), and then a couple of days off and the we open up Saturday against China. So, we are looking forward to it.
Jeremy Roach (Paul VI Catholic H.S./Leesburg, Va.)
On the game:
Overall I thought it was a good game. The first half was a little shaky, but I thought we kept wearing them down throughout the game.
Our offense was a little stagnant, and we turned the ball over a little bit. We didn’t get as many stops as we needed to, but in the second half we did that.
On the team’s chemistry:
I think we can still get better, but I think we did alright.
Isaiah Stewart (La Lumiere School, Ind./Rochester, N.Y.)
On his first international game:
It was fun. International basketball is so different. But, since I’ve been here, I’ve found a way to have fun with it. I’m enjoying it, and I’m having fun playing with these guys.
On the game:
First half, first quarter, we didn’t play how we should have, but we came back into the locker room, we talked it out and we definitely had a much better second half. I still think we are not playing our best. We definitely can play better.