By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Bahamas is through to the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, after defeating Argentina for the second time in the week, this time in the final of the Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Santiago del Estero, thanks to Eric Gordon’s heroics – 82-75.
Phoenix Suns veteran hit three consecutive three-pointers in the last couple of minutes, turning the score around and paving the way for his team’s victory. Gordon finished the match with 27 points, shooting 6/7 from beyond the arc.
Two other NBA players joined him for the tournament, with Buddy Hield adding 15 points, and Gordon’s teammate from Arizona, Deandre Ayton, recording a double-double of 10 points and a monstrous 21 rebounds in the final.
ERIC “CLUTCHTIME” GORDON 🗡
Eric Gordon goes 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐤 against Argentina at #FIBAOQT final to steal the game in Argentina 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tnc3bAmXVx
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 21, 2023
Argentinians suffered another heavy blow this year, as they didn’t make it to the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Even another extraordinary game from Facundo Campazzo, the Real Madrid point guard, couldn’t help, as he finished the match with 14 points and 17 assists. Gabriel Deck added 21, and 40-year-old Carlos Delfino scored 15 points.
Bahamas is now on its way to a historic Olympic Games, and they could even add Charlotte Hornets‘ talented center, Kai Jones, to the mix for the Qualifying Tournament.
Four other national teams have secured their places at the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, as Croatia, Poland, Cameroon, and Bahrain emerged victorious in the pre-qualifiers.