World University Games: A Look Back at Bronze
Aug 15, 2023 | Men's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane University men's basketball team represent the United States in the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu, China, earlier this month and brought home the bronze medal. The team finished with a 5-1 record on the court and experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trip seeing the culture and lifestyle of Chengdu and making a pit stop to explore Seoul, South Korea on the way.
In competition Tulane racked up wins against Poland, Japan, Czech Republic, South Korea, and Argentina. The team also defeated China in an exhibition game before the World University games began.
The action in the games began with pool play Tulane, Team USA, where the Wave played three games. First, Tulane defeated Poland 96-82 before dominating Japan 93-56 in its second game. In the final game of pool play, the Green Wave outlasted the Czech Republic 76-72 to go undefeated entering bracket play.
Tulane faced South Korea in the quarterfinals of bracket play and advanced to the semifinals with a convincing 86-68 victory. The lone loss suffered for the Green Wave came in the semifinals against Brazil 82-95 putting the team into the Bronze Medal Game. Tulane squared off against Argentina with the bronze medal on the line and won 102-91 to bring a medal back to the United States.
Four players averaged double figures in scoring for Tulane during the games led by sophomore Kolby King with 18.2 points per game which ranked second in the tournament. Jaylen Forbes followed with 15.7 points per game and made a team-high 17 threes. Sion Forbes averaged 11 points along with 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 block in the six games played for Tulane. Rounding out the top performers for the Wave at the World University Games was Kevin Cross with 10.6 points per game.
Off the court, the team got the opportunity to meet and interact with other student-athletes from more than 120 other countries in the FISU World Games Village on the Chengdu University campus. There were activities such as karaoke, virtual reality games, and a movie theater for the student-athletes to enjoy in the village.
The student-athletes and staff were also able to enjoy experiences away from the village which included a trip to see the pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and a visit to the largest mall in China, the New Century Global Center.
Tulane's bronze medal marks the fifth consecutive University World Games that the United States has won a medal in men's basketball. The next World University Games will be hosted in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in Germany in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Green Wave will begin preparing for the 2023-24 campaign in Uptown. Tulane will look to improve the most successful season of Head Coach Ron Hunter's tenure after finishing the 2022-23 season with a 20-11 record. It marked the first time the Wave tallied 20 victories since the 2012-13 campaign when the team finished 20-15.
Team USA: A Look Back at Bronze by Tulane Green Wave on on Exposure
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Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
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For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane men's basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
In competition Tulane racked up wins against Poland, Japan, Czech Republic, South Korea, and Argentina. The team also defeated China in an exhibition game before the World University games began.
The action in the games began with pool play Tulane, Team USA, where the Wave played three games. First, Tulane defeated Poland 96-82 before dominating Japan 93-56 in its second game. In the final game of pool play, the Green Wave outlasted the Czech Republic 76-72 to go undefeated entering bracket play.
Tulane faced South Korea in the quarterfinals of bracket play and advanced to the semifinals with a convincing 86-68 victory. The lone loss suffered for the Green Wave came in the semifinals against Brazil 82-95 putting the team into the Bronze Medal Game. Tulane squared off against Argentina with the bronze medal on the line and won 102-91 to bring a medal back to the United States.
Four players averaged double figures in scoring for Tulane during the games led by sophomore Kolby King with 18.2 points per game which ranked second in the tournament. Jaylen Forbes followed with 15.7 points per game and made a team-high 17 threes. Sion Forbes averaged 11 points along with 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 block in the six games played for Tulane. Rounding out the top performers for the Wave at the World University Games was Kevin Cross with 10.6 points per game.
Off the court, the team got the opportunity to meet and interact with other student-athletes from more than 120 other countries in the FISU World Games Village on the Chengdu University campus. There were activities such as karaoke, virtual reality games, and a movie theater for the student-athletes to enjoy in the village.
The student-athletes and staff were also able to enjoy experiences away from the village which included a trip to see the pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and a visit to the largest mall in China, the New Century Global Center.
Tulane's bronze medal marks the fifth consecutive University World Games that the United States has won a medal in men's basketball. The next World University Games will be hosted in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in Germany in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Green Wave will begin preparing for the 2023-24 campaign in Uptown. Tulane will look to improve the most successful season of Head Coach Ron Hunter's tenure after finishing the 2022-23 season with a 20-11 record. It marked the first time the Wave tallied 20 victories since the 2012-13 campaign when the team finished 20-15.
Team USA: A Look Back at Bronze by Tulane Green Wave on on Exposure
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane men's basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out at NolaBuilt.com.
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