Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped off his dominant run at the FIBA World Cup with 31 points in Canada’s OT win over the U.S.
The final day of the 2023 FIBA World Cup did not disappoint as Germany completed its historic run with an 83-77 win over Serbia to claim the country’s first-ever gold medal in a World Cup. Earlier in the day, Canada claimed bronze with a thrilling OT win over the U.S. as Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 70 points to send Team USA home empty handed.
Here’s a look at who stood out during Sunday’s action in Manila, Philippines.
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Dennis Schroder, Germany
Schroder was the driving force for Germany as they won their first-ever World Cup championship to complete an undefeated run at the tournament. He used his speed and change-of-pace drives to finish with 28 points in the gold medal game and was named TISSOT MVP of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Schroder’s defining moment came in the final minutes of the title game when he coolly blew past the Serbian defender for the game-sealing layup to put Germany up four and close out their first World Cup trophy.
A true leader on the floor.
Dennis Schröder is the TISSOT MVP of FIBA World Cup 2023. ⭐️#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/a4o7KCofnU
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Franz Wagner, Germany
After missing several games due to an ankle injury, the Magic forward closed out strong in Manila. Wagner scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the title game on 4-for-11 shooting (10-for-11 from the free throw line). Wagner, coming off a season in which he averaged 18.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, showed why his stock is high as he enters his third season with Orlando.
TCL Player of the Game Franz Wagner stepped up when it counted the most to help seal Germany's status as World Champions!
19 PTS | 7 REB | 3 STL | 19 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForDeutschland | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/5PAC5AX324
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia
Bogdanovic capped off an impressive FIBA World Cup with another big game, scoring 17 points and handing out five assists in Serbia’s 83-77 loss to Germany in the gold medal game. Bogdanovic was one of the bright spots in this tournament, averaging 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals while shooting 52.6% from the field over his eight games, earning him a spot on the All-Star 5 of the tournament.
⭐️ All-Star Five of FIBA World Cup 2023!
Dennis Schröder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Anthony Edwards
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Luka Doncic#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/l3eQJrn6JO— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Dillon Brooks, Canada
Brooks capped off his FIBA World Cup in impressive fashion. The fiery Rockets swingman poured in 39 points and was near perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all but one of his eight 3-point attempts in Canada’s thrilling win over the U.S. in the bronze medal game. Brooks, who was also named Defensive Player of the Tournament, also had five assists, a steal and two blocks and caused headaches for Team USA all game long in leading Canada to its first-ever medal in the FIBA World Cup.
TCL Player of the Game Dillon Brooks set a new points record in a medal game to tow third-place Canada to their first-ever medal
39 PTS | 5 AST | 4 REB | 7 3PM | 42 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/Og5wWPyHEG
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada
Gilgeous-Alexander established himself as a true superstar at this World Cup, and his performance in the third-place clinching victory may have been his best of the tournament. The U.S. had no answer for the Thunder guard, who continually probed and sliced through the defense to the tune of 31 points on 11-for-20 shooting (8-for-8 from the FT line). After Bridges’ miraculous finish in regulation sent things to OT, SGA took over, scoring the first five points for Canada, including a stepback 3 that shook Austin Reaves and sent Bridges to the floor. He also handed out 12 assists (finding the hot man Brooks for five of his seven 3s) and grabbed six rebounds in one of the biggest wins in Canadian history.
Shai, oh my lord. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/E7yYfpiDlp
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
Mikal Bridges, USA
Anthony Edwards (24 points, named to all-tournament 1st Team) and Austin Reaves (23 pts) led Team USA in scoring, but Bridges was key in helping keep the U.S. alive in the bronze medal game vs. Canada. Bridges finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and a pair of steals while also coming up with one of the wildest plays of the tournament. With four seconds left and the U.S. down three, Bridges intentionally missed the second free throw, grabbed his own rebound and raced to the corner for an insane game-tying 3 to send the game to OT. Canada would eventually prevail, but it capped off a tournament in which he averaged 13.6 points on 63.3% shooting (55.6% on 3s).
Every angle of Mikal Bridges' shot that sent it to overtime. Tell a friend.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/TRWx563FRp
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
