By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and Team Bahamas are off to a hot start in their quest to qualify for the next Olympics. Ayton scored 22 points (11-of-16 shooting) and snagged 15 rebounds in 22 minutes in the 101-89 win over Argentina.
Ayton was doing a little bit of everything on the court, not only scoring but also impressively finding new Suns teammate Eric Gordon out of a triple team.
Gordon finished the game with 24 points (game-high) and three assists and one rebound in 24 minutes.
Nicolas Brussino paced Argentina with 21 points while Facundo Campazzo added 18 points and 10 assists.
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The semifinals are Saturday and the finals are Sunday. Bahamas must win the tournament to advance to next year’s FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments July 2-7, 2024.
The winners of those tournaments will earn a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Bahamas have never been to the Olympics in men’s basketball, but just pulled off one of its biggest wins ever behind the play of Ayton, Gordon and Hield.