While the United States men’s Olympic team had a rough weekend, dropping its first tuneup game to Nigeria in stunning fashion on Saturday night in Las Vegas, over in Latvia, the U-19 men’s squad had a chance to redeem the nation’s basketball pride against France on Sunday in the finals of the FIBA U-19 World Cup.
The matchup pit two of the best basketball prospects in the world against each other, with Chet Holmgren of the U.S., the nation’s best high school player this past season, going up against Victor Wembanyama of France, the latter of whom is considered the top prospect at any level. Wembanyama, in particular, was tremendous, scoring 22 points to lead all scorers along with eight rebounds and an outrageous eight blocks in 27 minutes of action.
Victor Wembanyama pick and pop 3 at the top of the key.
Wemby with 14 points at half for France as they lead USA by 5. pic.twitter.com/RlEENreVKt
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 11, 2021
Victor Wembanyama absolutely put on a show on both ends of the floor in the first half vs. USA in the U19 championship game:
14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocksKid is special pic.twitter.com/gjMaxGYk2m
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 11, 2021
The RECOVERY @usabjnt and @ffbasketball are going AT IT right now @vicw_32 controlling the paint #FIBA19 pic.twitter.com/6JvlIUxSbm
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 11, 2021
Victor Wembanyama showcasing his quick leaping ability to get to this Adam Miller lay despite the contact… pic.twitter.com/CbHF8UOqju
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 11, 2021
However, the French star would foul out with a few minutes to play — after France oddly went away from him offensively in the fourth quarter as the U.S. made their run — and that would only further open the floor up for the Americans.
Holmgren struggled in his matchup with Wembanyama early, but was able to find some success in the second half as he finished with 10 points and five assists, but the star of the game was Kenneth Lofton Jr. (not related to the baseball Kenny Lofton), whose size and strength was just something no one on the French side — including Wembanyama — could deal with. Lofton got himself deep post position a number of times in the second half, and when he did, he just carved out space under the rim to get an easy bucket, muscling French defenders out of the way.
There are at least three and possibly four future top-five NBA draft picks playing in this game, but all I want to do is clip Kenny Lofton Jr. post moves pic.twitter.com/DrYadxdrKk
— Ricky O’Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) July 11, 2021
However, it wasn’t just strength that the big fella put on display, as Lofton showed off the athleticism with some skill off the bounce to get by defenders and to the rim, even when he wasn’t able to establish deep post position.
Levitating pic.twitter.com/9Go2M5nSrE
— Ricky O’Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) July 11, 2021
On defense, he also showed off some quick, active hands, twice creating turnovers in the fourth quarter by stripping a French player to help keep the U.S. ahead.
A huuuuuuge @MikeMilesJr1 steal and dunk with authority takes @usabjnt to the cusp of the #FIBAU19 title! pic.twitter.com/cvd8Rbe8Iv
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 11, 2021
On the United States’ final possession, up just two, a shot to put the dagger in went begging, but it didn’t matter because Lofton was able to bully his way to the rebound to keep the possession alive and run out the clock with a putback that missed.
IT’S ALL OVER
An ALL-TIME GREAT #FIBAU19 FINAL!! @usabjnt are 2021 U19 WORLD CHAMPIONS
A crazy end and GAME WINNING hustle by @itzjunior34
Congratulations pic.twitter.com/qYpdf3nyO3
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 11, 2021
In all, Lofton finished with 16 points and seven rebounds (three offensive), doing most of his damage in the fourth to help lead the U.S. comeback. He had help from the ultra-bouncy Jaden Ivey, who also finished with 16 points, but for everyone watching on Sunday morning, it will be Lofton’s performance that will stick with them for a long time, a stunning achievement given the talent on the floor for both sides.