Team USA had their final exhibition game on Sunday vs. Spain, winning by a score of 83-76 in a total team effort. Damian Lillard (19 points), Keldon Johnson (15 points), Kevin Durant (14 points), and Zach LaVine (13 points) led the way for the US, while Spain’s Ricky Rubio went for 23 points.
We know Team USA is loaded with NBA vets, but San Antonio Spur Keldon Johnson is a young player that could possibly get minutes and contribute out in Tokyo. In the 3 exhibition games he played in, Johnson averaged 8.7 PPG & 2.7 RPG on an efficient 60% shooting.
Head coach Gregg Popovich said after the win that Johnson “shot it when he was open” and was “very physical” on takes to the basket, as the 21-year-old shot 7 of 9 from the floor to go along with 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Play in the paint is something the international game has a lot more of than the NBA, and Keldon Johnson’s activity around the rim can definitely help with those physical matchups if given the minutes.
