How Kentucky targets performed in FIBA U17 World Cup group play

The future of Team USA basketball — and possibly the future of Kentucky men’s basketball — is shining brightly through the early stages of the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain.

The U17 Team USA squad just finished up the group play phase of the event on Tuesday with a dominating 112-64 win over Mali. The win pushed Team USA to 3-0 ahead of Wednesday’s Round of 16 against Egypt. The Americans beat Lebanon 120-44 in the opener and then Slovenia 88-55 in the following contest. A gold medal is fully expected to be brought back home to the states this time next week with Team USA the overwhelming favorite heading into the tournament portion.

Among the prospects blowing away the international competition are a slew of Kentucky targets; over half the roster is complied of high-level recruits receiving significant UK interest. Head coach John Calipari made the trip to Spain for a front-row seat of the action, and he likely hasn’t been disappointed — the Wildcat targets have been showing out. Let’s take a closer look.

How Kentucky targets are faring in Spain

*Rankings are courtesy of the On3 Consensus. Statistics are based on 3-game averages.*

Class of 2023

Dajuan Wagner Jr. | 6-3, 165 pounds; 5-star CG, No. 2 overall
9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.0 steals, 2.3 turnovers | 38.7 percent from the floor, 1-8 from 3

• The longball hasn’t been falling for Wagner so far, but he’s shooting well inside the arc while getting his teammates involved. He’s yet to break out for a high-scoring game, but don’t be surprised if one comes sooner rather than later.

Ron Holland | 6-8, 195 pounds; 5-star PF, No. 5 overall
14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.0 turnovers | 56.7 percent from the floor, 7-10 from FT

• Arguably Team USA’s MVP so far, Holland has been Mr. Consistent through three games. The five-star forward has made over 60 percent of his shots and hauled in at least six rebounds in every single outing while not turning the ball over once in two of them.

Dennis Evans III | 7-1, 210 pounds; 4-star C, No. 29 overall
1.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 turnovers | 0-5 from the floor, 4-8 from FT

• Evans has yet to play more than 11 minutes in any of the three games, failing to make a single field goal in the process. The 7-foot-1 big man has plenty of raw potential, but that isn’t showing up in this particular setting.

Class of 2024

Ian Jackson | 6-5, 180 pounds; 5-star PG, No. 1 overall
19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 turnovers | 62.5 percent from the floor, 8-14 from 3

• Jackson had arguably the game of the event by a Team USA player so far. Against Mali, the five-star guard dropped 26 points and seven rebounds with zero turnovers while shooting 11-14 from the floor and 4-5 from beyond the arc. Jackson also registered 21 points in his first outing of the group phase against Lebanon.

Johnuel “Boogie” Fland | 6-3, 165 pounds; 4-star PG, No. 8 overall
5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 4.0 steals | 33 percent from the floor, 3-10 from 3

• Fland had one of the better all-around individual outings in his first game against Lebanon, recording four points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and five steals in under 19 minutes of play. He has yet to hit double-figures in scoring but is contributing to winning basketball. Fland recorded six assists and six steals against Mali, too.

Karter Knox | 6-5, 180 pounds; 4-star SF, No. 11 overall
9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, 1.7 turnovers | 57.1 percent from the floor, 1-6 from 3

• Like Holland, Knox has been a consistent contributor, albeit at a lower rate. He’s scored nine, 11, and eight points, respectively, through his first three contests and is shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor in the process.

Asa Newell | 6-8, 200 pounds; 4-star PF, No. 29 overall
5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds | 30.8 percent from the floor, 8-8 from FT

• Newell’s second game against Slovenia wasn’t up to his standards, but he was solid in his other two outings. He dropped six points and four rebounds in game one before adding eight points, four rebounds, and two steals in game three.

Next up for Team USA is the Round of 16 against Egypt, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6 at 12:15 p.m. EST. A win would push the Americans into the quarterfinals on Friday. All games can be watched live on FIBA’s YouTube page.