Last year around this time, we were reading headlines about how then incoming UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad set the new scoring record at the annual Nike Hoops Summit, scoring 35 points to break Dirk Nowitzki’s longstanding record.
But what went under the radar was that the World Select Team, led by Canadians Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, upset Team USA, winning the 2012 contest 84-75, furthering the argument that the rest of the World is catching up when it comes to amateur hoops talent.
And after yet another dominant 112-98 victory by Andrew Wiggins and the World Team Saturday, where the Americans were down by as many as 18 points, it’s clear that the talent on the World stage is at an all time high.
With numerous NBA scouts in attendance, Wiggins had another great all around game on the worldwide stage, consisting of 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, which was on par with his 20 points and 7 boards last year.
While University of Duke bound Jabari Parker(22 points, 7 rebounds), Kentucky’s Julius Randle(19 points, 8 rebounds) and Andrew Harrison(19 points, 5 assists) led Team USA, the real star of the game was 6’9 Frenchman Livio Jean-Charles(27 points, 13 rebounds), who expects to be selected near the end of the 1st Round of the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft.
German born, lightning quick PG Dennis Schroder also added 18 points and 6 assists, while junior 7 footer, and Kentucky recruit Karl Towns Jr, also contributed nicely off the bench.
It was the first time in the event’s history that the World Select team has won 2 consecutive Hoop Summits, now we all will wait to hear of the impending college commitment for Mr Wiggins, who is still undecided between Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, and Florida State.
2013 Nike Hoops Summit Mixtape:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
