Tobe Awaka Becoming Leader On Team USA

Tennessee Volunteers forward Tobe Awaka started for a second straight game as the United States Under-19s finish group play undefeated.

Will Hopkins | Jun 27, 2023

Tobe Awaka Becoming Leader On Team USA /

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The United States defeated Lebanon in their final group play game in the 2023 Under-19 FIBA World Cup on Tuesday by a score of 122-70. The US finished the opening stage atop Group B with a 3-0 record. Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka started his second straight game.

He saw less action in game three than in either of the first two games, but in a game that was not overly competitive, perhaps head coach Thomas Martin Boyle was just trying to save his legs for the knockout rounds. Still, Awaka did well. In just under 12 minutes of play, he was 2-for-3 from the field and 1-for-2 from the line for five points. Per usual, he was no stranger on the glass, grabbing eight boards, three of which were offensive. The rising sophomore also added a steal.

As for the team overall, they will face off against China on Wednesday, with the time to be announced. This will be a game in the round of 16. All 16 teams in the tournament make the knockout stage, but having finished first in Group B, the United States earned this favorable matchup against China, who finished fourth in Group A, failing to register a win. A couple of their games were somewhat close, though, including nine-point losses to Canada and Spain in their last two outings. Tobe Awaka is sure to have a big imprint on the game on Wednesday and hopefully moving further forward.

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Published Jun 27, 2023

WILL HOPKINS