Final week, the Latvian nationwide group reached the High 5 of their first-ever FIBA World Cup and it was largely on account of a gifted level guard who wore the No. 55 jersey. His title is Arturs Zagars and he’s now adopted by scouts from each the NBA and the Euroleague, because the 23-year-old is at the moment a free agent.
Nonetheless, his spectacular exhibitions throughout the worldwide competitors don’t cease there, as he additionally set a brand new World Cup single-game report, after handing out 17 assists towards Lithuania.
“I used to be simply passing the ball, and my teammates made photographs. It’s that straightforward,” stated the Latvian playmaker after that contest.
Zagars made his title as among the finest distributors of this FIBA event, main his nation to spectacular victories towards highly effective groups like France, Spain and Brazil.
WORLD CUP RECORD HOLDER.
Arturs Zagars made historical past with 17 assists ✍️#FIBAWC x #WinForLatvia 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/aTL3oqXVoS
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 9, 2023
The rising star ended his World Cup journey with averages of 12.4 factors, making 55.6% of his photographs from the sector and 41.7% from past the arc. He additionally produced 2.6 rebounds and seven.4 assists per match, all in simply 25 minutes of playtime.
“I consider he performed a stable event with massive tasks. He was in massive footwear. As for the primary time within the World Cup, and first time as a starter within the senior nationwide group in such a contest, changing an iconic participant like Janis Strelnieks will not be simple,” his head coach Luca Banchi stated about his participant’s potential.
“Within the second recreation, we misplaced our captain, however he continued to provide good basketball to assist the group keep at this stage, proving he might help Latvia to compete with the very best groups on the planet,” he then added.
Banchi acknowledges that Zagars is barely starting his profession, and has a brilliant future forward of him.
“However it’s simply step one. The following is to discover a job for this man as a result of I consider he deserves it. He’s not like me, he’s younger. I’m previous, and I’ve to relaxation. He’s younger and must play. Let’s hope he’ll discover the job lastly,” he concluded.
Oklahoma Metropolis foward Davis Bertans believes his Latvian teammate may completely play for an NBA franchise
Davis Bertans, an eight-year NBA veteran, defined why he believes Zagars is worthy of at the very least a two-way contract with an NBA group.
“Actually, sure,” he stated. “I believe it’s a good shot. It’s all about timing, probability, and alternative. The whole lot can occur if you find yourself on the proper place on the proper time. He has all of the instruments to do it. He’s relentless, as you’ll be able to see. They’re placing their greatest defender on him each single evening, and he nonetheless delivers for us.”
Check out his highlights from his 24-point efficiency towards Germany, the eventual world champions:
His head coach shared a number of the challenges that younger Zagars has endured to get up to now of his profession, overcoming vital accidents within the final couple of years.
“Within the final two years, Arturs sadly suffered from many accidents. He already impressed everybody within the final FIBA window in February however suffered an harm within the third quarter that value him probably the most of a season finale in Lithuania,” Banchi shared.
