This team is one Muhammed Ali could have been proud of. When you have a one-two knock out punch like the USA East had in Kyrie Irving and Josh Selby, you can play a little Rope-A-Dope through the first half and into the third quarter to give the opponents a false sense of security. However, after letting Brazil hang around until the fourth quarter before KO'ing them, Canada proved a foxier foe with some guards who were also crafty and it almost cost the East team. A frenzied rally led by Irving in the fourth quarter proved just enough as the lead see-sawed before holding on for the 105-104 win in the championship of the third annual Nike Global Showcase at Liberty High School. 

There might have been more fans rooting onTeam Canada thanks to a healthy turnout from the Wiltjer family and Jesuit supporters in attendance to cheer on local high school standout Kyle Wiltjer who may have stamped a ticket to Canada's 2012 Olympic Trials tryout with a solid performance over the weekend. The 6'9 Jesuit junior had 10 points on the night to go with four rebounds and showed a great sense of timing around the basket. Team Canada was paced by rugged 6'9 forward Tristan Thompson who led all scorers with 28 points. Coupled with 6'10 and 280 pound Maurice Walker, the Canadians surged to a quick 22-12 lead as Walker had his way with 6'8 and 280 pound fifteen year old Dajuan Thompson. Every U.S rally was met by a counter rally by Canada who led at half 59-53. The one saviour for the USA East team was Will Barton who went 9-10 from the field and led all scorers with 18 at the half.  

The second half was a replay of Saturday's win against Brazil. Selby and Irving late in the game seemed to move their game up a notch which would overwhelm the other teams guards. This wasn't easy as Canada's point guards Myck Kabongo and Junior Cadougan were also quick and smart. Still, USA East went with their money players and on this night Irving grabbed scoring honors with 26 points.  


TOURNEY NOTES: Its possible the next time you see Ames, Iowa senior Harrison Barnes play in Portland, it'll cost you $100 a game ticket at the Rose Garden instead of $5. He just seems to have that certain 'it' that exudes stardom. While Terrence Jones and the USA Team West South defeated Barnes Team Midwest 116-104 in a somewhat flat Fifth Place game, Barnes still put up 28 points and eight rebounds. The weekend's three games and battling a bad cold caught up with Jefferson's star as he contributed just 11 points in 10 minutes of action while watching teammate J.T. Terrell rack up 27 points.

The FMP Serbia team had a player who no doubt had NBA scouts eyeing in 6'6 Svetozar Stamenkovic who racked up 35 points on Saturday and had another 38 point and 12 rebound game on Sunday. The Serb's don't play like other Euro Teams. They aren't as soft but instead like to get chippy and physcial. They love jabbing the opposition and getting into their opponents heads.
They tend to get after the USA teams that seems to raise the level of play.

PICKS AND PANS: Why did the Nike Bracket have a Fifth Place Game? Shouldn't it have been a Fourth Place Game? After all, the winner goes 2-1 in pool play and in an eight game tourney, one team goes 3-0 and three teams go 2-1 and the rest of the pool has a losing record. By making it a Fifth Place Game, it means a team finishing 1-2 ends up in front of you?  I know its picayune but hey, you can still boast you finished in the top four! 

My All Star Squad-Both East guards Kyrie Irving and Josh Selby who combined for over 100 points and 25 assist on the weekend. Every night they found a fourth quarter gear that made the difference all the way to the championship. Svetozar Stamenkoc from FMP-Sebia. Brazil's Vitor Benite, a guard who's great leadership was very obvious as well as a lethal deep three shot. Canada's Tristan Thompson who scores and rebounds and looks like he could play at any top college in the U.S. My MVP is Barnes. Okay I admit to a 'mancrush' but mark my words, this kid is going to be a very special player.