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Senegal continues its run through AfroBasket behind Gorgui Dieng, finishing off group play with a 74-73 nail biter over Angola to run their record to 3-0. This was a battle of the two best teams in the group, and it was close throughout. Dieng finished with 24 and 9, including 14 of 17 from the line and a key 3 point play with a minute remaining to pull Senegal within one point. Although he missed the potential game winning jumper, a teammate was able to tip it in at the buzzer to get the win and send Senegal through as one of the top seeds.
They will face Uganda in the round of 16 on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile the Canadian team is preparing for the FIBA Americas tournament with a warm up event in Puerto Rico. They won their second straight game, this time against Brazil, with Anthony Bennett having a big scoring game. He went 6-7 from the field and scored 16 points in 15 minutes of action. Andrew Wiggins struggled, with 9 points on 2-10 from the floor. They face the Dominican Republic this afternoon, and the FIBA Americas tournament begins August 31st in Mexico, with teams vying for Olympic qualifying.
In other news, former Timberwolf Jeff Adrien has signed a one year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Good for Adrien, who seems like he deserves a place in the NBA with his rebounding and defensive prowess. We were disappointed to see him go, and certainly wish him the best with the Pels.
The Charlotte Hornets signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a four year extension that kicks in for the 2016-17 season. It is rumored to be worth around $56M. Whatever else you think of it, it's certainly less than he would have gotten on the open market. I doubt Charlotte will regret it given the new cap realities and the qualities he brings to the team.
Today in History
325: Council of Nicaea ends with agreement on the Nicene Creed
1580: Spain over Portugal in Battle of Alcantara
1609: Galileo demonstrates his first telescope
1768: Captain James Cook departs England on 1st voyage on Endeavor
1814: Library of Congress destroyed by British forces
1825: Uruguay declares independence from Brazil
1916: National Park Service founded at Dept. of Interior
1944: Paris liberated from Nazi occupation
Several good musical birthdays today (Leonard Bernstein, Jeff Tweedy), but we'll go with Elvis Costello, born in 1954.
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