Zhang is turning heads in Belgrade
Last college basketball season, after the Bears had taken a significant lead they weren't going to lose, fans in Berkeley began chanting for the 7'3" center from China, Max Zhang.
That could be a harbinger of things to come.
This past week at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia, Zhang proved unstoppable while playing on China's men's basketball team. At the conclusion of the Intermediate Round, the last round China will see, Zhang led all players averaging 16.2 rpg and 6.7 bpg.
He began his tournament domination in a loss to Italy, scoring 15 points, getting 16 boards, and blocking eight shots. In a loss to Canada, Zhang his first triple-double with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots. In China's third straight loss, Zhang had 22 rebounds (11 offensive and 11 defensive), two blocks, and 18 points. In China's final game (and loss) of the tournament, he got his second triple-double with 25 points, 10 blocks, and 12 rebounds.
Overall, Zhang averaged 17.5 points on 43% shooting from the field and no three-point shots taken. He was also able to draw an average of five fouls a game -- something that would be useful to Mike Montgomery and the Cal Bears, as he shot 74% (20-27) from the charity stripe.
If Zhang can come back to the states with some similar success, the Bears will be worthy of their preseason ranking.
Gray-Lawson is going for gold
Another Bear playing at the World University Games is star guard Alexis Gray-Lawson. Unlike her Cal counterpart, Team USA has more games to play. They are headed to the medal round as the top seed at 5-0 for the tourney.
Gray-Lawson is averaging 20:32 mpg, third highest on the team. She's struggled with her shot, shooting 37% (13-35) from the field, but her three-point shot has been a very accurate 46% (6-13).
In USA's first win (over France), Gray-Lawson scored eight points on 100% shooting (2-2 3pt, 2-2 FT), and had three steals, four assists, and four rebounds in the victory. She followed that up with seven rebounds, a steal, and six points on 25% shooting (3-12 FG, 0-3 3pt) as USA defeated Great Britain. In USA's third win, this time over Serbia, she shot a little better (4-9 FG, 2-3 3pt), as she scored 10 points, had five rebounds, four steals, and an assist.
Game four was a continuation of Gray-Lawson's shooting woes. On 2-6 (2-3 3pt) shooting from the field, and 3-4 on free throws, she scored nine points, pulled down five boards, dished two assists, and nabbed one steal in USA's defeat of Poland. In the final game of Intermediate play, the U.S. defeated the Czech Repblic, but Gray-Lawson strugged with four points, two steals, two assists, and two rebounds after coming off the bench.
Team USA and Gray-Lawson will next play in the semi-final round on Thursday July 6.
My vacation lasted longer than I had originally planned. I spoke with one of Cal's 2010 recruits yesterday and should have that up later this evening as I attempt to get back in the full-swing of things.
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Comments
How does anyone block 10 shots in a game? You'd think the shooters would get tired of being rejected.
Any video available of Max from this tourney? I'm curious if he has actually developed an offensive move or if all his points are just from dunks. Also any insight available on his potential for starting next year after we started the incredibly worthless Wilkes all of last year? Monty clearly wants a shot at that jump ball.
Swt164Me - I'll see what I can find in way of a video.
As far as Zhang starting, I don't think it's likely unless he's really improved his game from last season. Although he has stats that look great, his team did get beaten handily in most of the games.
I can see him getting more playing time this year, a la Wilkes, but not starting.
Max has a nice outside touch, as you can see from his free throw shooting. At 7'3", though he belongs as close to the rim as possible.
The Iranian and Australian centers he went up against were both 6'11" and strong. One of them played 9 minutes a game on a good St. Mary's team last year.
The coaches have been emphasizing strength training for him so that he can take the pounding inside. I still think he'll be a big performer for Cal and really could have played more last year.
He did get some decent minutes during the non-conference season last year and I thought he looked good. He'll get plenty of chances to prove himself early next season. If he doesn't play it's because one of the other new big men is even better.
Either way, it's good for Cal. We've got some potential 1st team all conference players at 1, 2 & 3, the energetic Boykin at the 4, and Max or someone better at 5.
3 of the starters only played 20 minutes in an easy win over UAE. I suppose China is in the weakest grouping now.
Max had 17 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks in 20 minutes.
results.ub2009.org/results/pdf/BK/BK_C73_BK0400J0200076ENG.pdf
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