TORONTO– Jamal Murray is destined to be a heart breaker.
Canada’s gifted 6-4 guard may only be 18-years old, but he already has the look of a future star.
Murray turned a quiet night into a night to remember when he scored all of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as Canada defeated the United States, 110-106, in overtime to advance to the gold medal game of the Pan American tournament here at the Ryerson Centre last night.
Canada will play Brazil in the 4:30 final. the USA will play the Dominican Republic for the bronze.
Murray broke the American’s heart they had rallied to take a 106-104 lead in overtime on an Anthony Randolph three point jumper. Murray came right back and made consecutive three pointers in overtime to give Canada a 110-106 lead with just 55 seconds remaining. Prior to that he made another huge three to tie the game at 97-97 with just 36 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Murray shot 8 for 18, made 4 threes, had 4 rebounds and 6 assists in 27:48. His brilliant performance against a backcourt that included pre-season All Americans Ron Baker of Wichita State, Malcom Brogdon of Virginia and Melo Trimble of Maryland should earn him a place on Canada’s national team that will participate in
the FIBA Americas senior tournament in Mexico State. The first two finishers earn automatic bids to the 2016 summer games in Rio. And since the United States has already earned an bid by virtue of winning the World Championship last year in Spain and Brazil earns a bid as the host team, this is the best chance Canada has of qualifying since 2000.
Most of Canada’s big name NBA talent like Andrew Wiggins, Corey Joseph and center Kelly Olynyk are supposed to play and there is a chance forward Tristin Thompson will even suit up if he can settle his contract and the Cavaliers will pay his insurance.
Ironically, it is hard to tell whether Canada’s newest star will play. Kentucky may not want Murray, who has already re-classified so he could enroll college a year ahead of schedule, to miss two weeks at the start of his freshman year.
But it was a joy to watch what we have seen of Murray this week in international competition. He has done wonders to upgrade Canada’s brand with four straight double figure performances in a five games in five days marathon.
Maybe we should have seen this coming back in April when Murray, playing in the Nike Hoop Summit, at Portland, went off for 30 points as the international team defeated a group of elite U.S. senior prospects.
Murray was originally supposed to play for Canada’s U19 team in the World Championship I Crete, but he decided he would rather test himself against older, more established players in the Pa Am team.
“Playing on both would have been too much for him,” Canadian national coach Jay Triano said. “You know what. To play I his home town. To play for the national national team. It was a great opportunity to play for his country for the first time to play on the Senior national team for the first time. We had to introduce him to this level of competition and it was the right time.
“When I watched the Nike Summit earlier this year, I was reminded by NBA forward Nic Batum (of France) that only two other players prior to that had 30 points-0- Nick Batum. and Kevin Durant. So I knew he was in good company in that game and the poise he had to the big stage.”
Murray loves the big moment.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” he admitted. “To be there with all our fans, representing the country, it’s a great feeling. You got to go through it. I’ve been in situations before like this. I just try to play basketball. Limit the turnovers and make good decisions.
“I grew up in a competitive family. My dad and I battle about everything, whether it’s the first one on into the car, first one to make a basketball. My dad is very confident I what he does. We’re both very competitive with each other and that’s where my competitive spirit comes from.”
Murray seems unfazed by the pressure on his big threes, especially that won over USA 6-10 forward Anthony Randolph that gave Canada a 107-106 lead..
I just had confidence I my shot. I knew I could hit that shot” he said
This was a difficult loss for the United States, which played with far more purpose than it did during a 93-83 pool play loss to Brazil Thursday night. The U.S. actually had a chance to force a second overtime o the final possession but Bobby Brown missed a potential game tying three with seven minutes to play and Murray– who else– grabbed the rebound for Canada.
“It was a gold medal effort by both teams. It was a heck of a ball game,” USA and Gonzaga University head coach Mark Few said. “I am really proud of our guys for how they competed in basically a road game. It was like a road environment at a big time college rivalry. I am proud of them. There were a lot of great performances. You got to tip your hat to Canada; they made some big plays and hit some big shots. They made basically one more big play than we did in the end.”
The USA offense featured four players scoring in double figures. Brown (Dongguan Leopards, China/Los Angeles, Calif.) score 25 points and dished out a game-best seven assists, Randolph (Lokomotiv-Kuban, Russia/ Pasadena, Calif.) contributed 21 points and a USA-high six rebounds, Ron Baker (Wichita State/Scott City, Kan.) added 15 points and three steals, and Denzel Valentine (Michigan State/Lansing, Mich.) tossed in 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Both college players had a chance to be stars. Valentine hit three straight threes to give the U.S. a 87-81 lead ad Baker scored a layup and Brown followed with a three as the USA took a 97-94 lead with 59 seconds left I regulation before Murray shined brightest.
“He played phenomenal down the stretch,” said Canadian forward Andrew Nicholson, who finished with a team high 31 points and 10 rebounds. “He’s going to be an outstanding player for us.”
For Canada, the future is now..
The United States will have to settle for a consolation prize if they beat the Dominican.
“I want to win a bronze,” Baker said.
“I don’t want to go home empty handed,” Valentine said.
