Vanderjagt hails staff before Canada quarter-final clash

• Game 1: Aussie Crocs at snappy best to tip-off Cup campaign‍
• Game 2: Paul gives statisticians sore fingers in five-point win
• Game: 3: Antonio Browne sends Australia into Round of 16‍
• Game 4: Luke Paul and Antonio Browne power Australia into Canada showdown

Crocs stars Luke Paul, Antonio Browne and Yahya Basaran are getting it done on the floor at the FIBA Under-17 Men’s World Cup in Turkey, but head coach Greg Vanderjagt heaped praise on his assistants Ash Arnott and Rhys Carter for Australia’s 4-0 record.

“I'm incredibly pleased with the growth of this group throughout the tournament,” Vanderjagt told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview ahead of their quarter-final clash against Canada at 7.45PM today.

“They're highly coachable, receptive to feedback, and continually challenge themselves to improve as a collective. Ash Arnott and Rhys Carter have done an outstanding job preparing our scouting throughout the tournament and ensuring the athletes have the information they need to be successful.

“Their work behind the scenes – late at night and early each morning – is a significant reason why our defensive identity has continued to improve with every game.

“As a staff, we continue to identify areas where we can get better, and the players have embraced every adjustment we've asked them to make. That's been one of the defining characteristics of this team throughout our journey together.”

Australia booked a blockbuster FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup quarter-final against Canada after dismantling Slovenia 104-75 in a dominant Round of 16 performance in Istanbul on Thursday (AEST).

The unbeaten Crocs blew the game open in the opening half, racing to a 30-16 first-quarter lead before taking a commanding 58-30 advantage into halftime. Australia led for 39 minutes and 46 seconds and never allowed Slovenia to threaten, securing a place in the final eight.

NBL Next Star Paul continued his outstanding tournament with 20 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists in less than 26 minutes. The dynamic guard caught fire from long range, knocking down five three-pointers while adding two steals in another complete performance.

“Slovenia presented a completely different challenge to anything we've faced so far in the tournament,” Vanderjagt said.

“They're disciplined, exceptionally well coached and make you defend for long periods.

“I thought our players stayed connected, trusted each other and found another level when the game demanded it.

“Slovenia are very good at forcing you into mistakes if you lose your discipline. I was pleased with our composure throughout the game. We stayed patient, trusted the game plan and executed at a high level for longer periods than we have previously been able to sustain.

“Offensively, I thought we took another step forward. We moved the basketball much better than we have in previous games; there was consistent energy in the ball, and our cutting created the types of advantages we've been working towards throughout this campaign.

“We still left some opportunities out there, but the intent and decision-making were exactly what we wanted to see.

“Our defensive identity continues to be our greatest strength. When we're connected, communicate, and play with physicality, we give ourselves a chance against anyone. I thought our willingness to compete for every possession was ultimately the difference today.

“Reaching the quarter-finals is something this group has earned through a long period of hard work, but they're certainly not satisfied. There is still plenty of work ahead of us. We came here to compete against the best teams in the world, and we've earned the opportunity to keep doing that.

Australia will book a place in the semi-finals in Istanbul if it can overcome an excellent Canadian team.

“Canada now presents another completely different challenge,” Vanderjagt said.

“They're one of the traditional powerhouses of world basketball and play a unique brand of the game.

Once again, we'll need to adapt, execute our game plan, and find ways to impose our identity for as long as possible.

“Every team wants to still be playing at this stage of a World Cup. The difference is that the teams still standing are willing to do the hard things, possession after possession. That's exactly what this group is committed to.

“We may not be the most talented or the most athletic team remaining in the tournament, but we've made a commitment to playing our style of basketball. Against Canada, we'll need to sustain that for the full 40 minutes.

“At this stage of the competition, the team that can impose its identity for the longest period of time will be the one that advances.”

The game will be live-streamed on the FIBA YouTube channel.