LILLE (France) – The group stage is in the books and big players stepped up when it mattered most for their teams on Gameday 3.
Here is a rundown of the Top Performers.
Bruno Caboclo was basically a no-show for the first two games of the tournament – totalling 6 points and 5 rebounds in Brazil’s two losses to France and Germany, playing for a combined 25 minutes. But the Brazilian big man showed up in the 102-84 win over Japan with 33 points on 13-of-19 shots hitting all four of his three-point attempts and 3-of-4 free throws.
He also picked up 17 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block for an efficiency of 43. That is the second highest efficiency value since the stat was added to the Olympics in 2016 behind only Luka Doncic’s 49 against Argentina in 2021.
Caboclo became the first player with more than 30 points and more than 15 rebounds in a game at the Olympics since Spain’s Clifford Luyk in 1972 against Germany (31 points, 17 rebounds).
Serbia were facing a tough task against South Sudan but Bogdan Bogdanovic showed why he is the team’s other superstar along with Nikola Jokic.
“Bogi” scored 30 points on 10-of-14 shots including 6-of-9 threes and 4-of-5 free throws while also tallying 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks for an efficiency of 36 in the 96-85 win.
When big games are being played, big players show up and that is exactly what Nikola Jokic did for Serbia against South Sudan.
The three-time NBA MVP collected 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting including 1-of-1 on free throws and 7-of-12 free throws, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block for an efficiency of 31 in the 96-85 win.
Germany just keep rolling at the Olympics and a major reason for that is their motor – Dennis Schroder. The point guard refused to be slowed down in the big matchup with hosts France and he guided the world champions to a comfortable 85-71 win to remain undefeated and take top honors in the group.
Schroder tallied 26 points on 10-of-17 shots including 4-of-7 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws. He also collected 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal for an efficiency of 29.
Germany were anything but just Dennis Schroder as Franz Wagner had himself an outstanding outing as well in the 85-71 win over France. Wagner scored 26 points on 8-of-15 shots with 2-of-5 three-pointers and added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block for an efficiency of 26.
His performance was highlighted by two massive dunks over Victor Wembanyama and Mathias Lessort.
FIBA