While the USA Basketball Men’s National Team (Team USA) was getting a win over the Czech Republic in its first 2019 FIBA World Cup action, the Australia national team was getting going, too, and former Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut came up big for the Aussies with a near double-double.
Coming off the bench, Bogut contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block to help Australia clinch the 108-92 win over Canada (coached by Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors) in the first round of the Group Phase.
A 14-year NBA veteran, Bogut played four seasons with the Warriors from 2012-16, helping the team in 2015 to win its first of three championships in a five-year span.
Matthew Dellevedova was a big part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ success in winning the 2016 Finals against the Warriors. For the Aussies, Dellevedova scored a game-high 24 points.
Bogut and Australia’s national team beat Team USA during exhibition play prior to official tipoff of World Cup competition — giving the U.S. its first loss in international competition in nearly 13 years. That win, plus the team’s win today, should have Australia feeling confident about its chances in the tournament.
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