RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Former Washington State men's basketball student-athletes, Aron Baynes (2006-09), Brock Motum (2010-13) and Klay Thompson (2009-11) each experienced Olympic success Saturday, as Australia and the United States won their respective Olympic openers in Group A.
Australia shocked many with an 87-66 victory over world ranked No. 5 France. The U.S., a favorite to win the Gold, easily handled China with a 119-62 victory. Baynes and Motum are playing for Australia, while Thompson is playing for the U.S.
A native of Cairns, Baynes got the start for the Boomers (Australia's national team), while Motum, from Brisbane, came into the game in the final minutes, notching a minute of action. Baynes finished with 14 points and a team-high 8 rebounds in 24 minutes.
A native of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Thompson got the start for the United States, finishing with 12 points, adding 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 19 minutes of action.
Next up both Australia and the U.S. continue preliminary round play as Australia takes on Serbia, Monday, Aug. 8 at 10:15 a.m. PT and the U.S. takes on Venezuela that same day at 3 p.m. PT. The two teams face each other Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. PT.
Australia shocked many with an 87-66 victory over world ranked No. 5 France. The U.S., a favorite to win the Gold, easily handled China with a 119-62 victory. Baynes and Motum are playing for Australia, while Thompson is playing for the U.S.
A native of Cairns, Baynes got the start for the Boomers (Australia's national team), while Motum, from Brisbane, came into the game in the final minutes, notching a minute of action. Baynes finished with 14 points and a team-high 8 rebounds in 24 minutes.
A native of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Thompson got the start for the United States, finishing with 12 points, adding 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 19 minutes of action.
Next up both Australia and the U.S. continue preliminary round play as Australia takes on Serbia, Monday, Aug. 8 at 10:15 a.m. PT and the U.S. takes on Venezuela that same day at 3 p.m. PT. The two teams face each other Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. PT.