By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France – Jumping to an early 12-point lead, Brazil threatened France but could not hold on against Victor Wembanyama and the Alien’s teammates.
In a losing effort, 41-year-old Marcelo Huertas started his third expedition in the Olympic Games with a team-high efficiency rating of 14 behind 11 points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal over 25 minutes.
“He is Marcelinho Huertas. That is it,” Yago Dos Santos told Eurohoops after the Group B Gameday 1 contest, “At his best, he knows how to play perfectly.”
In his Olympic debut, the 25-year-old point guard registered two points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals, lasting nearly 14 minutes.
“I am happy to be here because the last four or five weeks I was dealing with the injury,” he referred to hurting his left leg in the Final of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.
“Playing in the Olympic Games, these are the most important games for players,” added Dos Santos, “I know if I need to find my best basketball for Brazil, best for the Olympic Games. We want to play better.”
Down to 0-1, Brazil resumes action facing Germany on Tuesday.
“I think it will be a different game,” he previewed the next team outing in his discussion with Eurohoops, “This was the first game in the Olympics for some players like me. We know the difference. They were playing at home, for their fans. We need to be better in defense.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL