Andrew Wiggins throws down transition dunk on Uruguay in FIBA Americas win
One must always be careful when it comes to putting too much weight on what players do during the summer, but boy oh boy, do I hope that Andrew Wiggins carries his international-duty pursuit of monster-dunk highlights into his sophomore campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year — and my pick to click as a star on the rise in the season ahead — continued his rim-rattling ways during Canada’s Monday matchup with Uruguay during the second round of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship:
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Take the outlet pass, four dribbles to the foul line, gather for the Dwyane Wade up-and-over move, continue driving through the chest of backpedaling Uruguay center Nicolas Borsellino, and ram the ball straight down his throat. Two points, easy-peasy.
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Wiggins finished with 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting with six rebounds, two steals and an assist in 23 minutes of work as Canada blew the doors off Uruguay, 109-82, to improve to 5-1 at the FIBA Americans tourney, and 2-0 in second-round play. They’ll face host nation Mexico, undefeated thus far behind the play of big man Gustavo Ayon and point guard Jorge Gutierrez, on Tuesday before wrapping up group play against Edgar Sosa, James Feldeine and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. The top four finishers will advance to the tournament’s semifinals; the two finalists will qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Wiggins was one of seven Canadians in double-figures against Uruguay, joined by fellow former No. 1 NBA draft pick and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Bennett, Andrew Nicholson and Melvin Ejim of the Orlando Magic, Nik Stauskas of the Philadelphia 76ers and non-NBA players Brady Heslip and Philip Scrubb. Coach Jay Triano’s team continued to impress on both sides of the floor; according to the calculations of ESPN’s Alvaro Martin, Canada ranks No. 1 in the tournament in points scored per possession, points allowed per possession, rebounding percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio, and second in pace factor, trailing only Puerto Rico in average number of possessions per contest, as the club’s enviable depth has allowed Triano’s charges to keep their foot on the gas, ramp up the pressure on both ends and routinely put opponents in unenviable positions … especially when the young Wolf gets the ball and starts hunting for dinner.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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