Get ready Australia and the Oklahoma City Thunder, because a new basketball star is coming: Josh Guidy.he baby boomers He won the newly awarded World Cup’s best young player award, ahead of other big names such as Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jovic and Juan Nunez.
The 20-year-old point guard averaged 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in his first World Cup appearance. Only six players in history have averaged more points per game before turning 22: Kevin Durant, John Lucas, Leo Rautins, Yao Ming, Drazen Petrovich and Wilver Ledo Ruiz.
He quickly attracted attention. In his first game against Finland, he scored 14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, becoming the second player in the 21st century to achieve at least 10 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in his first World Cup game. player, second only to LeBron James.
Guidi performed particularly well against Japan, scoring 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting, 11 assists and 5 rebounds.
*To be eligible for this award, candidates must be 21 years of age or older and have played at least four games. *
Luca Benchi, best coach
The individual awards were summed up by Latvian national team coach Luca Banchi, who finished a commendable fifth place in his first World Cup. Additionally, he has compiled an impressive 21-3 record since serving as Latvia’s backup. And all of this was done without their top star Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined at the last minute with plantar fasciitis.
(Cover photo: Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)