Deja Kelly’s United States team advanced to the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup semifinals on Friday, coasting to a victory over Colombia. The Americans’ first eight baskets came from eight players as they took control early and coasted to a 68–49 win in a quarterfinal game at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico.
Category: Basketball
Okonkwo, one day after deciding to transfer to UNC, puts up a double-double with three blocks in Great Britain victory
James Okonkwo will come to Carolina with a reputation as a shot-blocker and showed why Friday in Great Britain’s opener of the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B. Okonkwo put up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while blocking three shots as Great Britain earned a 72–63 victory over Austria as pool play began in Skopje, North Macedonia.
UNC transfer Okonkwo plays in European Championships starting today; here’s how to watch
Former West Virginia big man James Okonkwo, who committed Thursday to transfer to Carolina, begins play Friday at the FIBA U20 European Championships.
UNC gets front-court depth with West Virginia transfer Okonkwo
West Virginia junior 6–8 forward James Okonkwo has committed to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels needed front-court depth. Okonkwo, who led the Mountaineers with 22 blocks last season while shooting 57.4% from the floor, announced his decision Thursday on social media.
Kelly collects 10 points, 7 assists, is team-high +45 in USA rout of Cuba
UNC senior guard Deja Kelly was on her game, and so was the USA as the Americans rebounded from a loss the day before with a resounding victory. Kelly collected 10 points and a team-high seven assists and was a team-high +45 as the United States rolled to a 106–44 victory over Cuba at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, in its final pool play game at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
With deep roster, Banghart focuses on team, knows she can’t keep everybody happy
With one of the country’s most talented and deep rosters but only so much playing time to go around, UNC coach Courtney Banghart is focused on making her program the best it can be, rather than worrying about who might hit the transfer portal.
Veteran Brazil team pulls upset on tough day for USA, Kelly
It was a challenging Fourth of July at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup for a United States team that faced another team full of older professional players, this time Brazil. The No. 13-ranked Brazilians were in control for most of the game and beat the No. 1-ranked Americans 67–54 at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, to snap the USA’s 19-game win streak in the competition.
Set your DVR for some memorable UNC victories to air on ACC Network
If you enjoy watching Carolina win a national championship, beat Duke and N.C. State, Armando Bacot make history and Drake Maye work his magic, set your DVR for Carolina takeover day Saturday on the ACC Network. Each conference school has one takeover day as the network replays the biggest victories aired on ESPN channels during the last school year during “ACC Network School Takeover.” It began Saturday with Wake Forest and ends July 15 with Boston College.
Manek joins Atlanta Hawks team in NBA Summer League
Brady Manek will play for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Summer League with another chance to prove he belongs in the NBA. Manek, who played for the Charlotte Hornets in last season’s Summer League, will be part of a 15-team Atlanta roster that includes former Duke guard A.J. Griffin, former N.C. State guard Jarkel Joiner and former Florida State forward Mfiondu Kabengele.
Deja Kelly, USA overcome challenge from older Argentina team to win
Carolina senior guard Deja Kelly and her USA teammates went from an easy victory in their Women’s AmeriCup opener Saturday to a battle Sunday. One day after trouncing Venezuela by 24 points, the Americans trailed in the third quarter but pulled away late for a 65–56 victory over Argentina at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, for their 19th consecutive AmeriCup victory. While it was the USA’s second game in as many days, it was Argentina’s tournament opener.