By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A couple of free throws sank by TaShawn Thomas late in overtime lifted Team World to the win, 111-110, against Team France in the exciting back-and-forth LNB All-Star Game Wednesday evening.
BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque’s Brandon Taylor poured a game-high 22 points in the 35th edition of the French All-Star Game. Senegalese Youssou Ndoye, the lone non-US player of Team World, followed with 17 points and nine rebounds. Thomas ended up with 16 points.
On the opposite end, the former Phoenix Suns and current LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne player, Elie Okobo shared a team-high 19 points with Giovan Oniangue. The 24-year-old guard forced the extra five minutes tying the game, 96-96, from beyond the arc with five seconds left in the fourth quarter but failed to connect once again as time ran out in overtime.
CE SHOOT ?
CETTE AMBIANCE ?#ASG2021 @ElieOkobo_0 pic.twitter.com/CR7e9jsDrd— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 29, 2021
Besides the actual All-Star Game, the co-main event of the evening was the TLC Dunk Contest held during halftime. Dylan Affo Mama capped off his effort by jumping over a motorcycle to claim first place ahead of Yoan Makoundou, David Efianayi, and Allan Dokossi.
L’intégralité des dunks de @AffoMamax, vainqueur du TCL Dunk Contest ?#ASG2021 pic.twitter.com/gsZhVuzfNo
— All Star Game by Gorillas (@ASGLNB) December 29, 2021
Prior to the game, Justin Bibbins won the Gorillas FR Skills Challenge, defeating Loren Jackson in the final. David Holston and Antoine Eito bowed out in the semifinals.
? QUE LES SKILLS !
Justin Bibbins décroche la victoire au ?????? ????????? ?? @gorillasapp_fr !#ASG2021 pic.twitter.com/SXZeWNdbd1
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 29, 2021
Scott Bamforth of Le Mans went from a last-minute replacement to dominating and becoming the PEAK Sports France Three-Point Shootout champion.
SHOOTEUR D’ÉLITE ???
? Le 3 ?????? ???????? by @PeakFrance pour Scott Bamforth !#ASG2021 pic.twitter.com/MFMWOnMSrN
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 29, 2021
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 29, 2021
Franklin the Dog and Jazz Bear, the official mascots of the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, respectively, were welcomed as special guests at the All Star Game by Gorillas.
Un invité spécial ?⭐️
? @SixersFranklin #ASG2021 pic.twitter.com/4rAmo2c1wt
— LNB (@LNBofficiel) December 29, 2021
The LNB All-Star Game returned to Paris and Accor Arena for the first time since 2019. The 2020 game was abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic.