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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Saturday / November 23.

By ADAM ZAGORIA

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIOBill Self was hoping Team USA would get another shot at Duke-bound phenom R.J. Barrett.

Barrett and Team Canada eliminated the John Calipari-led USA team last year in the FIBA U19 World Championship in Cairo, Egypt by authoring a LeBron-esque 38-point, 13-rebound, 5-assist game in the semifinals.

The 6-foot-7 Barrett and Canada went on to win gold, and Self was hoping for a shot at redemption this week at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship here in Barrett’s home country.

But alas, Barrett is training in Los Angeles with other future NBA prospects before heading to Duke at the end of the month and is not with the Canadian U18 side.

By ADAM ZAGORIA

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIOAndrew Nembhard doesn’t have his running buddy R.J. Barrett here at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship to help him win a gold medal.

So Nembhard is the de facto leader of this Canadian team, and he has one goal in mind.

“I’m looking to get a gold medal out of this week,” the 6-foot-3 Nembhard said after going for a game-high 28 points with 6 assists as Canada opened the event with a convincing 92-75 victory over Argentina at the Meridian Centre.

Nembhard is especially excited to be playing in this event in his home country.

“It’s just amazing, to be honest,” he said. “It’s my first time playing for Canada at home. Great fans came out today, it’s just an honor. It’s really fun.”

By ADAM ZAGORIA

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIOA.J. Lawson has a busy few weeks ahead.

The 6-foot-7 Class of 2018 Canadian star who reclassified from 2019 is here playing for his home country in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, where they hope to challenge the USA for a gold medal.

Once the event ends next weekend, he will begin a slew of college visits with the aim of making a decision in late June or early July.

Lawson has visited South Carolina and still plans to take official visits to Creighton (June 18-19) and  Tulane (June 20-21) this week with Oregon and SMU next week. 

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