• Game Story
• Box Score

USA head coach Don Showalter (USA Basketball)
On the game:
Serbia really is a good team. They are very disciplined. They run really good sets. I thought our kids were really well prepared. I give a lot of credit to coach Fitch and coach Waterman, who had the scouting report on Serbia. I thought they did a great job of letting us know what they were going to run. And, us causing 38 turnovers for the game, I thought our defense was outstanding at times. Overall, I was really proud of the game tonight. I thought the kids really took this as one of those games where we had to get out quick, and we did. 

Is the team where you wanted to be after finishing preliminary round play?
We are not exactly where we want to be yet, but we are certainly getting close. I think we have a few things to shore up. Our free throw shooting is spotty, and our rebounding could be better.

Vernon Carey Jr. (University School/Southwest Ranches, Fla.)
On the game:
We came out, and we competed hard. We shut down their main guys (Stevan Karapandzic) and (Dorde Pazin). So, I felt like we played pretty well. 

On the USA’s defense:
Our defense and the fast break points we get, it just makes it easier to get a lead on teams. I think that is our main strength is our transition game.

Is the team where it wanted to be after finishing preliminary round play?
We are doing well, but we can get better. So, that is what we are looking forward to.

Wendell Moore Jr. (Cox Mill H.S./Charlotte, N.C.)
On the game:
We had a really good game. We came out pretty strong, and we just kept that up from start to finish.

On the USA’s defense:
Our defensive intensity has been crazy – we play so hard. And, every player that comes off the bench keeps that energy going.

Is the team where it wanted to be after finishing preliminary round play?
It feels great to finish undefeated in pool play. We are not where we want to be at yet, but we are getting there.

Jalen Suggs (Minnehaha Academy/Minneapolis, Minn.)
On the game:
I think we played very well. Serbia was a good team. We knew they would come out and make some runs, and they came out in the third quarter and got a couple baskets in a row, but we stayed with it and came back with our own run. It was a good win. 

On the USA’s defense:
Defensively, we told ourselves we wanted to cut off the head of the snake, and that was (Stevan Karapandzic) and (Dorde Pazin), and first half they both had only two, and I don’t think either one finished with more that 10 points. So, we did really well today. Everyone was talking, and it lead to our victory.

Is the team where it wanted to be after finishing preliminary round play?
Getting the No. 1 seed is huge. That means we have a No. 4 seed in the first game of bracket play. So, we are ready to start bracket play tomorrow.

Are you enjoying playing with this team?
I am enjoying it a lot. These guys are really good – not only skill-wise, but they are great teammates. When I’m a bit down, they are always there to pick me up. Playing with them is really fun and easy.