A victory over China in their final game of the 2016 Albert Schweitzer Tournament has secured a seventh placed finish for Australia in what was a positive step in the development of the entire team.
Taking on Greece in the first match outside the pool games, Australia were forced to rue several turnovers as they allowed their opposition 24 points off those mistakes, falling 55-75.
Isaac White paced the Aussies with 13 points but every player hit the scoreboard as they shot 41% from the field.
Kyle Zunic and Matthew Kenyon had two steals each while Jacob Rigoni pulled down two offensive boards to finish with seven points and five rebounds.
The loss set up a game against China who had won two games coming into the contest, equal to Australia.
The Aussies proved too good though, earning seventh place by winning every quarter in an 83-59 victory.
Kenyon was dominant in the paint, recording a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds while Zunic had a complete performance with 14 points, six boards and seven assists.
In just 15 minutes of court time, Will Magnay was efficient on 5-10 shooting for 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists while he recorded a superb five blocks to China’s total of six as a team.
Even in a tournament restricted to players born in or after 1998, Australia fielded a very young team with several players gaining their first international experience.
From a competition that has seen players like Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills develop their game, the week will prove very valuable for current and potential Centre of Excellence scholarship holders and the next generation of elite Australian basketballers.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.