For many hoops fans, top-tier basketball is a two-horse race between the NBA and the Euroleague. Juan Toscano-Anderson is out to disrupt that notion.
Toscano-Anderson, a member of the 2022 Warriors title team, is in Singapore, representing North America in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. He’s a veteran presence for the G-League United, a collection of G-League players tapped to win the tournament against other clubs in five continents.
“We want to be aggressive and make a statement. I believe the G League is the second-best league in the world, and we want to show that,” the versatile forward said after winning their first assignment.
G-League United dominated Quimsa
G-League United controlled the game from start to finish and won handily, 78-65, against Quimsa, the South American representatives. The Argentinian squad was no pushover, becoming the first back-to-back champions of BCL Americas 2024.
However, the North American reps were too much in this game. Toscano-Anderson mentioned that the G-League United was only together for several days; still, they are beating club teams that have been playing together for years.
“We played a pretty well-rounded game, we got five guys in double figures. We haven’t been together too long; every single team here is a club team, and we’ve only been together for 10 days. We’ll continue to get better. I’m proud of my teammates — we came with energy, played together, and had fun,” said the 31-year-old.
JTA made a good account of himself in the victory. He posted a 13/8/6 stat line with three steals, while former OKC Thunder Deonte Burton led the scoring with 17. Rob Baker II notched a double-double for the Americans with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The other teams competing in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup are Unicaja Malaga (European Basketball Champions League), Al Riyadi (Asia Basketball Champions League), Petro de Luanda (African BAL champs), and the Australian NBL champs, Tasmania JackJumpers.
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Not so fast
While the former Warrior was feeling good about his victory, someone did not agree with that statement. Mike James, the 2024 EuroLeague MVP, laughed JTA’s comment off on social media.
“Not even close. Lol. He is in a small percentage to think this,” James posted on X (formerly Twitter).
James is the Euroleague’s all-time leading scorer but played only 49 games in the NBA. However, competition-wise, many think the European brand is more difficult. Luka Doncic once claimed it’s harder to score in Europe , which was recently supported by Evan Fournier. JTA is open to seeing that for himself as he plans on possibly joining the leagues represented in the tourney.
Whatever the case, Toscano-Anderson and the G-League United have a noble but tall task ahead of them. Nevertheless, winning the Intercontinental Cup is a step in the right direction and should be in their crosshairs.
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