Shai Gilgeous-Alexander outlines key to beating Team USA in Olympics
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is spearheading Canada men's basketball team's charge at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics, opened on what's needed to beat Team USA. The country is expected to challenge a star-studded USA for the prestigious gold medal.
The Canada point guard opened up on what it would take to register a win over LeBron James and Co. that's oozing dominance and is packed with superstars.
SGA, the OKC Thunder superstar, is relishing the prospect of competing against Team USA on the biggest stage.
"We're coming here to play the best talent and the best teams in the world," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told NBC's Mike Tirico on Saturday.
"(Team USA) is at the top of it, so of course it'd be fun."
"They play to their strengths. They're obviously very talented, very deep. You almost have to make no mistakes and play a perfect game when you play against them," he added.
Team USA ended the group stage with a flawless 3-0 record and also finished with the best points difference of 64. Canada remained unbeaten in the group stage as well and finished with a points difference of 20.
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous leads Canada in points. The OKC Thunder point guard is averaging 19 points, four assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Shai Gilgeous affirmed that Canada will be ready to compete against any team with only one goal in mind.
"We have a lot of talent, and we know that," Canada's point guard continued.
"We all want to win, so we're giving up whatever it takes to get to the final goal. As far as Canada, we'll be ready for whoever we see," he added.
Canada beat Team USA in the 2023 FIBA Men's World Cup bronze medal game. In a thrilling overtime game, Canada registered a 127-118 victory. However, the 2023 Team USA's roster was filled with young and rising stars, but the current Olympic team is stacked with some of the all-time greats.
Canada and Team USA can only meet in the final
Canada and Team USA are on opposite sides of the knockout round bracket and can only compete in the gold-medal game.
Canada face hosts France in the quarterfinals. If Canada beats Les Bleues, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. will face Germany or Greece in the semifinals.
On the flipside, Team USA faces Brazil in the quarterfinals. If Steve Kerr's team wins, it will cross swords against the winner of the Serbia vs Australia game in the semifinals.