2012 Nike Hoop Summit >> World Team 84, USA 75

Portland, Ore. • April 7, 2012

USA Head Coach Kevin Boyle (Montverde Academy, Fla.)
Opening statement:
“Obviously we were down 52-34 at halftime. We had forced nine turnovers, but we dug a hole of 10-0. We got it to 32-26, and I think they out-scored us 20- or 22-2 to end the half to go up 18. We weren’t rotating good on defense. We were kind of standing and watching a little bit on offense. I don’t know it we started the game a little tight from the atmosphere, a lot of guys playing international basketball for the first time, or if they just came out more aggressive. In the second half we forced 14 turnovers, were able to turn them over a lot, able to get back into the game. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the job done with the hole being so large.”

On the overall experience this week:
“For me, personally, I was thrilled and honored to be a part of it. Obviously, very disappointed and frustrated that we didn’t get the job done. I think it’s always difficult. Nerlens, who had a good game, unfortunately came in yesterday. He couldn’t be here the first day, so he really had one practice, and it was hard for him to get into any sets. But, when you’re down so much you needed him to be in the back to block shots and intimidate and change shots, so it made it difficult to get into an offense because you needed him on defense. He did change a lot of shots, and they missed a lot of shots around the rim because of his presence. So, disappointed we lost, but happy and excited to be a part of it.”

Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.)
Opening statement:
“I thought in the first half, we didn’t really play well at all. We picked it up in the second half, picked up the intensity a lot. Too bad it was too big of a hole we dug ourselves in the first half. We played really hard in the second half, but just didn’t catch them in the end.”

On if he was aware of the Hoop Summit scoring record:
“I wasn’t really aware of it. I just thought my shot was going in tonight. I thought we really played well in the second half with the rotations on defense. If we would have done that in the first half, we would have come closer to winning the game.”

On the overall experience this week:
“It was disappointing with the loss. But, the opportunity to have with the USA and Coach Boyle, who is a really great coach … the practices were so challenging for us. I’m happy I got the chance to come down here, because I really thought I got better as a player and learned a lot from Coach Boyle.”

World Team Head Coach Roy Rana (Canada)
On Win over USA:
“Wow, special win for us, for the World Team. I know it hasn’t happened too often, so anytime you get a win over the USA it’s a good feeling.”

On Hanging on for the Win:
“I thought we got off to a tremendous start and then hung on for our lives, Anthony hit a great shot and got a key rebound down the stretch, and Andrew was phenomenal.”

On Canadian Influence:
“It’s really special to win, but probably even more special for three Canadians to be on the stage after winning a game at the Hoop Summit is obviously really special”

Anthony Bennett (Canada)
On Atmosphere:
“It was a fun game to play in. Most people don’t have this chance, and I think I did pretty well and so did the team. I can say that we beat Team USA in the Hoop Summit, and not a lot of teams can say that.”

On Hurting his Ankle:
“I came down wrong on my ankle and it pushed me back a little, but I just tried to stay positive, help the team out by rebounding and to get a win.”

On Shot-Clock Beating Shot:
“It was in the moment. I caught the ball, and I saw Nerlins coming at me and I know he’s a shot blocker, so I tried to get it up high. So I just threw it, and as soon as it left off my hand I knew it was good.”

Andrew Wiggins (Canada)
On Playing Most of the Game with the Lead:
“The game was good. We were up most of the game. We knew the USA team was going to come out in the second half hard and with a punch, try and fight back into the game. And they did so, and we were ready for it.”

On Goal of Winning the Hoop Summit:
“We had a goal this week to (beat) the USA team, and we accomplished that so we’re all happy.”