Additional Quotes: USA 97, Mali 40
• Game Story
• Box Score
USA head coach Don Showalter (USA Basketball)
On the game:
Mali is very physical, they battle you. And so, the clock stopped a lot and there didn’t seem to be a lot of flow to the game. So, having said that, I think our kids really did a nice job. We executed really well at times. Our defense was outstanding, again. When we hold a team like Mali to 40 points, it shows that we are really locked in defensively.
On Serbia:
Serbia is a very, very good team. I think they have been looking forward to playing us again and maybe overlooking some of the teams that they have not played very well against. So, they are going to be on top of their game, there is no question about it.
Vernon Carey Jr. (University School/Southwest Ranches, Fla.)
On the game:
I feel like we played pretty well. We contained their main players, number five (Siriman Kanoute) and number 11 (Oumar Ballo), and coach had said if we do that, we’ll be alright.
What was the focus in the second half?
We just wanted to continue to build our lead and not let up. That’s what coach told us to do.
On the team’s chemistry:
Over these past two games, our chemistry has been coming along really great.
On his role:
If the team needs to me to score, I’ll score, but I’ll do whatever they need me to do.
Evan Mobley (Rancho Christian H.S./Temecula, Calif.)
On the game:
We played really well. We went out there and played for our country and represented well.
What was the focus on defense?
We wanted to double-team the posts a lot and get out on number five (Siriman Kanoute) and double team him as well, and we did that.
What was the focus in the second half?
In the second half, we wanted to maintain our effort and extend the lead even further.
How do you like playing FIBA basketball now that you’ve had two games?
It is a little different – the ball, the refs and all that, but I think I’m getting used to it. It is very fun.
Jeremy Roach (Paul VI Catholic H.S./Leesburg, Va.)
On the game:
We played well. In some spurts, we got a little sloppy. But, we wanted to maintain the lead after halftime, and we did that.
On the USA’s defense:
We had a game-plan for number five (Siriman Kanoute). He had 37 points yesterday, so we did a good job of containing him.
What is it like to play point guard with so many scorers on the floor with you?
It is fun – trying to get everybody involved and keep everybody happy and trying to get mine when I can.
On Serbia on Tuesday:
It will be a much tougher game than when we played them in exhibition, because it counts this time. We are going to take them like we do everybody else and try to play a good game.