With Usman Garuba in key position, Spain wins EuroBasket 2022

September 19, 2022

Spain definitely wasn’t the favourite heading into the 2022 European Basketball Championship (EuroBasket). However courtesy of Sunday’s 88-76 victory over France (field rating) within the event’s championship sport, the Spaniards overcame the percentages.

One massive motive was second-year Houston Rockets ahead Usman Garuba, who performed a key position as a defender and facilitator.

“Our concept was that Lorenzo (Brown) would lead the staff in assault, and Usman in protection,” Spanish nationwide staff coach Sergio Scariolo stated of Garuba throughout the event. “He’s a rare defender. He can change all the things. He has an enormous coronary heart. He makes errors, in fact. He’s very younger, however we belief him loads.”

In Sunday’s title sport, Garuba (4 assists, 2 factors, 2 blocks) didn’t fill the normal field rating, however he made a number of contributions — together with a statement block within the second half — that helped lead Spain to victory over Rudy Gobert and France. In all, the Spanish nationwide staff was plus-7 in Garuba’s 16 minutes. Scroll on for a take a look at his prime highlights, together with postgame evaluation and interviews.

With EuroBasket now within the books, Garuba travels again to his NBA dwelling of Houston later this week. Coaching camp for the 2022-23 Rockets season is about to start on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

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