LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech standout Christian Anderson and head coach Grant McCasland continue to shine on the international stage. Both Germany and Team USA advanced to the Knockout Stage of the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland with undefeated records through group play.
Anderson, a rising sophomore guard, led Germany with a dominant 29-point performance in a 104-88 win over Canada on Tuesday. He added six assists and six rebounds in the victory, helping Germany finish 3-0 in Group B play. Earlier in the tournament, Anderson scored 14 points and dished out four assists against China. He is averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-for-19).
"We're really good at this spot as a team," Anderson said. "We've played together for three years and we have this connection on and off the court that can't be taught. So I think we are in a really good spot."
Anderson and Germany will face Serbia in the Round of 16 at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. The game will be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
Texas Tech's Christian Anderson in action against Arizona
(Credit: texastech.com)
Texas Tech Men's Basketball Coach Grant McCasland
(Credit: twitter.com/@brettvito)
Team USA, coached by McCasland as an assistant coach, also swept group play with wins over Australia, France, and Cameroon. The Americans tied a tournament record by sinking 19 3-pointers in a 129-70 rout of Cameroon on Tuesday. They will face Jordan in their Round of 16 matchup at 10:15 a.m., also available via YouTube stream.
Both teams entered the tournament ranked at the top of the FIBA Smart Power Rankings, with the USA ranked No. 1 and Germany at No. 2. A potential meeting between the two Red Raider-led squads looms in the championship final on Sunday, July 6.
Anderson, an Atlanta native with dual German citizenship, is coming off a strong freshman campaign at Texas Tech, where he earned All-Big 12 Freshman Team honors. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, and tied for the team lead with 71 made 3-pointers. He scored a career-high 22 points in a Sweet 16 win over Arkansas and shot 42.2 percent from beyond the arc in Big 12 play.
McCasland, now in his second year as a Team USA assistant, has guided Texas Tech to a 51-20 record over his first two seasons. He helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina and recently signed a six-year contract extension to remain with the Red Raiders through the 2030-31 season.
For more information on the FIBA U19 World Cup, including streaming links and schedules, visit fiba.basketball. Fans can follow Texas Tech men’s basketball updates at TexasTech.com or on the team’s social media platforms.
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