USA Basketball Finishes Strong Against Serbia in Intense Olympic Exhibition

The United States faced off against Nikola Jokic and Team Serbia in their third Olympic exhibition game, and it was a nail-biter. The match took place on Wednesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with Team USA ultimately emerging victorious.

USA Basketball Prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Americans looked to bounce back from a sluggish finish against Australia on Monday, where they squandered a 15-point lead and gave up 68 points in the paint. Despite the win, the U.S. committed an alarming 18 turnovers, and coach Steve Kerr and his staff will be looking to find the right puzzle pieces to improve their performance.

Anthony Davis Shines in Victory Over Australia

Anthony Davis had a significant impact off the bench against Australia, scoring a team-high 17 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and blocking two shots in 18 minutes. His rim protection and rebounding skills will be crucial for Team USA in Paris, and could be vital in slowing down Jokic.

Filip Petrusev Represents Serbia in Olympic Exhibition

On the Serbian side, Filip Petrusev, a former Gonzaga Bulldogs player, had an impressive outing in an exhibition loss to Australia earlier in the week. He scored 17 points and shot 8-of-12 from the field in 24 minutes as a starter. Petrusev led the way with 11 points at halftime, giving Serbia a small one-point cushion at the break.

The Serbs ultimately fell to Australia 84-73, with Patty Mills scoring 28 points for the Aussies. The defeat came over a week after Jokic propelled a 79-67 victory over Victor Wembanyama and Team France in Serbia’s first exhibition game.

Nikola Jokic Leads Serbia in Olympic Exhibition

Back on the college basketball front, BYU’s new head coach Kevin Young is making waves on the recruiting trail. The Cougars have made the top 10 for No. 1 basketball prospect AJ Dybantsa, according to a report from Joe Tipton of On3 Sports. BYU is joined by powerhouses like Baylor, Duke, Kentucky, and USC in the top 10.

AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 Overall Recruit in the 2025 Class

The commitment of Dybantsa would be a massive coup for BYU basketball and BYU athletics in general. He is the consensus top overall recruit in the 2025 class and is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

How to Watch Team USA vs. Serbia

• What: Team USA faces Team Serbia in their third exhibition game leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games
• When: Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, July 17
• Where: Etihad Arena | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• TV: FS1

The matchup against Serbia is crucial for Team USA as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. With strong performances from players like Anthony Davis and a strong team effort, the Americans are looking to bounce back from their sluggish finish against Australia and prove themselves as medal contenders.