HERAKLION, GREECE—Reggie Perry was all set to scrap college basketball for an NBA career last spring.
Mississippi State’s 6-9, 225-pound center, a former McDonald’s All America who made the SEC All Freshman team, declared for the NBA draft and was invited to the G-League combine and played well enough to earn an invite to the NBA combine in Chicago.
Perry was all set to stay in the draft if he was a first- round selection. But he pulled out after a lack of certainty and then volunteered his services to the US Basketball FIBA U19 World Championship team when senior manager Sean Ford was looking to fill a void in the roster after two USA Basketball U16 and U17 stars Duke’s 6-9 freshman Vern Carey and Memphis’ 7-1 freshman James Wiseman took a pass to practice with their college teams; and 6-8 USA U17 star Isaiah Stewart injured his ankle during a pick up game at the University of Washington just prior to tryouts.
It is turning out to be a great decision for everyone involved
Perry made the roster but took a while to buy in his role and US national coach Bruce Weber had to place a call to Mississippi State coach Ben Howland to ask what buttons to push to get the most out of his most talented big man.
Perry has since started to create his own momentum, scoring 28 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and contributing 3 steals and 3 assists as the Americans defeated Russia, 95-80, here Friday night at Heraklion Indoor Sports Stadium to advance to a semi-final match up against Lithuania, which won its quarterfinal against Serbia, 92-85, in overtime.
“Reggie Perry was the Man,’’ US coach Bruce Weber said. “We’ve been telling him that since we were in Colorado Springs. He should be the best player out here, he’s been through it, he went to the combine, he’s played against high level guys. “He’s not only good on the offense end and rebounding, but he was really good on defense.’’
The U.S. previously defeated Lithuania, 102-84, in Group play June 30. The game will be available live online at ESPN Plus. Expect Lithuania to play mostly zone as it attempts to take advantage of the American’s lack of consistent three-point shooters.
“Reggie Perry was the Man,’’ US coach Bruce Weber said. “We’ve been telling him that since we were in Colorado Springs. He should be the best player out here, he’s been through it, he went to the combine, he’s played against high level guys. “He’s not only good on the offense end and rebounding, but he was really good on defense.’’
The Russians had no answers for Perry in the first quarter when he powered his way to 11 points as the Americans took a 19-10 lead, out rebounding Russia, 21-8, in the first quarter and forcing them into nine turnovers on their first 10 possessions. By halftime, it was a 51-27 and the U.S. had 27 fast break points.
“We really just try to throw the first punch every night and just defend as well as we can and get stops,’’ Perry said. “If we get stops, it’s hard to beat us.
“Getting turnovers and getting into transition is really important. If you look at stats for the last couple games a lot of our points come off turnovers. Our depth is also important. That’s one of our best attributes about this team. That helps us a lot, just being able to play as hard as you can and knowing that the next guy coming in is just as good as you.’’
Forward Scottie Barnes of University High in Dade County, Fla, contributed 13 points and did Villanova incoming freshman forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who also grabbed eight rebounds and collected three steals. Iowa State sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton had 10 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. Senior guard Cade Cunningham of Montverde Academy had nine of the American’s 29 assists, which tied the U.S. U19 single game record.
‘Reggie has a chance to be the MVP of this tournament,’’ Ford said. “Think of the last three players to be selected MVP—Aaron Gordon of Arizona (2013), Jalen Brunson of Villanova (2015) and JR Barrett of Canada (2017). They were all eventually NBA first round draft picks. So Reggie has a chance to create his own legacy at this event.’’
