I finally got through the Puerto Rico - Domincan Republic game. It's on ESPN+ - I recommend watching it if you like basketball. Or George Conditt. Puerto Rico trailed from the 2nd quarter until the final couple minutes but pulled off a win 102-97, over Karl Anthony Townes and company. The DR has more talent than I thought they'd have, as a baseball country. Some notes on our guy George:
* He had 18 pts, 7 rebs and 2 bks.
* He's LEADING THE WORLD CUP IN OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING
* He missed his first 4 FTs but hit 4 in a row down the stretch to help clinch.
* Around the 2:30 mark, he grabbed an offensive rebound vs. KAT, made a move to hit a jump hook and hit the and-one FT to put Puerto Rico up.
* Under the 1-minute mark, he stoned a driving Dominican's shot and grabbed to the ball to preserve the lead.
* He got the d-board on an attempted 3 that would've tied it with about 25 seconds left.
* He made a perimeter jump shot, which I don't ever recall seeing at ISU
Now, there were some other moments - he got scored on for 3 consecutive possessions in the 1st half - twice by NBA All-Star KAT who drove on him and one by (ex Illini) Andres Feliz who took it righ to his chest. George also bit on a top-of-the-key pump fake by KAT who blew by him for a flying dunk.
In general, George has really progressed and has learned how to use his very good motor. So happy for the guy.
But, man, is it fun to watch George after he's learned to harness his great motor.