Arkansas basketball signee Anthony Black turned in his best performance yet for Team USA on Wednesday.
In a dominant 100-55 victory over Puerto Rico at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, the 6-7 guard recorded a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double. He scored four total points in the team’s first two group play games on 2 of 13 shooting.
Black got 5 of 7 shots to fall, including 5 of 6 in the lane, and was one of five Team USA players to score in double figures. Villanova signee Cam Whitmore led all scorers with 24 points on 11 of 13 from the floor.
Black's 11 total rebounds were a game high, and nine came on the defensive end. Kel’el Ware (Oregon), Ty Rodgers (Illinois) and Whitmore were second with seven apiece.
He also finished with seven assists — second on the team to Villanova signee Mark Armstrong’s eight — and three steals. Team USA was plus-21 during Black’s 19:04 on the floor.
His seven assists, four of which came in a 28-point second quarter, led to 14 points and were spread among three teammates. Five of Black’s passes immediately led to a dunk or layup.
The guard’s three steals contributed to Team USA’s 23-2 edge in points off turnovers.
With the win, Team USA wrapped up group play at 3-0. Black averaged a team-best 9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.
The quarterfinal round is up next on Friday. The team will face Mexico, which went 0-3 in the group phase, at 9 p.m. Central and the game will be streamed on the FIBA YouTube channel.