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The 2019 FIBA World Cup is almost at its conclusion following a thrilling day of semi-finals. In the day's first matchup, Australia succumbed to a thrilling 95-88 overtime defeat to Spain. Australia led for large periods of the game, and the Europeans needed a late comeback to force overtime. However, while the Boomers managed to take the game to a second overtime, Spain soon pulled away thanks to their accuracy from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, Argentina continued its superb run at the tournament by defeating Team USA's conquerors, France. The surprise team of the FIBA World Cup will now face Spain in the championship round on Sunday.
Nevertheless, there were once again excellent performers on both the winning and losing sides, and here we will look at the top five individual performers from the semi-final stage of the 2019 World Cup.
#5 Frank Ntilikina - France
The French were desperately disappointing as they exited the World Cup to Argentina just days after beating Team USA. France was outscored in all four quarters as Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier struggled following excellent performances in the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, Frank Ntilikina followed up his breakout performance with another impressive showing.
The guard led his team with 16 points, while also looking like the only person who could get the French back into the game. Ntilikina traveled to China with his future in the NBA in serious doubt, although the 21-year-old looks set for a promising future after demonstrating his talents on an international stage.
France can still secure their best-ever showing with a win over Australia in Sunday's third-place game, and expect Ntilikina to play an important role.
#4 Ricky Rubio - Spain
Ricky Rubio's often familiar shooting issues returned during Spain's victory over Australia, although the Pheonix Suns point guard excelled in other areas as he once again played an influential role.
Only Pau Gasol bettered Rubio's tally of 19 points, although the 29-year-old shot just 6-of-19 from the field. Rubio was also wayward from beyond the arc as he connected with just one of his eight attempts from deep.
However, Rubio once again controlled the tempo, and continually found the in-form Gasol in the second half. For the first time in the tournament, Rubio managed double-digits in assists (12), and he also came up with 4 steals. He also continued his good work on the boards with a team-leading seven rebounds. Ultimately, Rubio's shooting performance was a disaster, although he still managed to use his skill set to influence the game.
#3 Patty Mills - Australia
Australia exited the tournament following a heartbreaking defeat to Spain, although Patty Mills put on a show during another excellent individual performance. The San Antonio Spurs guard has been among the World Cup's best performers, and for the second time in three games - Mills managed to reach 30 points.
After recording 30 points against France, Mills bettered his total with 34 and connected with 11 of his 25 attempts from the field. It wasn't all good for Mills as he committed seven turnovers, however, the 31-year-old never stopped as he attempted to deliver an unlikely Finals berth for the Australian's.
Mills will now finish the competition leading in points per game (23.9), and the point guard has a great shot at being named tournament MVP.
#2 Luis Scola - Argentina
After advancing from the group stage, Argentina was presented with the toughest route possible to the final. However, the South Americans followed up their stunning win over Serbia with a comfortable win over a French team that had beat the United States just two days earlier. Argentina ran out 80-66 winners, and the likes of Gabriel Deck and Facundo Campazzo put in impressive performances.
However, Luís Scola was the leading force as the 39-year-old recorded one of the biggest performances of his lengthy career. Scola led the way with 28 points while shooting 47% from the field. The veteran was almost nearly perfect from the line (90%) and not even Rudy Gobert could match his haul of 13 rebounds. The former Houston Rockets star has defied father time the tournament, and he will be looking to close out his international career with a title.
#1 Marc Gasol - Spain
Marc Gasol entered the tournament following a title-winning postseason with the Toronto Raptors, and his monstrous individual performance against Australia has put him in the position to win another title with his national team.
Gasol made a poor start to the contest as Australia controlled the early proceedings, although the 34-year-old recovered to finish with 33 points. All of Gasol's baskets came after halftime as he stepped up as Spain's focal offensive force, and he finished shooting 11-of-19 from the field. Over his past three games, the Raptors star had managed just 23 points, and Spain would have been heading home if not for his huge second-half showing.
Gasol's all-around game was also excellent as he finished with six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in his 38 minutes on the court. Gasol will have trouble replicating his performance in the Final, although Spain is now in the driving seat to take home gold.
