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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Marvi

Watch: Austin Reaves comments on Team USA’s shocking loss to Germany

There will be no gold medal for the United States this year in the FIBA World Cup. Again.

Four years after it finished seventh in the last such tournament, Team USA lost in Friday’s semifinal round to Germany, 113-111. Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder was ultimately a thorn in the side of the Americans. He put up 17 points and nine assists while hitting a dagger with under a minute left to seal their fate.

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Austin Reaves did a lot to keep Team USA in the contest. He had a very efficient 21 points, with a good number of those points coming in the final minutes.

But he knew it was Team USA’s lack of defense that cost it the game and a shot at the gold medal.

Many have commented on Team USA’s lack of size this year. Ultimately, if it is to get back on track, it will have to revamp the roster to make sure it can hold down talented teams and control the defensive backboards.

On Friday, it gave up 12 offensive rebounds, 25 second-chance points and 50 points in the paint to the Germans.

Reaves gives some love to Schroder

Reaves, ever the competitor, was visibly frustrated at the end of the game. But it didn’t prevent him from paying his respects to Schroder, his former teammate.

After the game, the two shared a warm embrace.

While Germany moves on to play Serbia in the final on Sunday, Team USA will have to settle for a chance at the bronze medal in a contest versus Canada, which will also take place on Sunday.

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