17/08/2004
Day 2 Men: AUS 83 - ANG 59

Palma tips Bogut for greatness

ATHENS (Olympics) - Angola coach Mario Palma believes Australian teen Andrew Bogut is destined for great things after his virtuoso display  doomed the African champions in Olympic action on Tuesday.

Bogut, the most valuable player at FIBA's World Junior Championships last year, had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead Australia to an 83-59 win.

Bogut did a little bit of everything, even making the one three-pointer he took as Australia rebounded from their opening day setback against hosts Greece.

"He just killed us," Palma said of Bogut, a player at the University of Utah.

"We defended badly in the pick and roll, and this kid, who is very young but has NBA material and will certainly be a star one day, punished us.
He can shoot for three points, penetrate one on one, finish with both hands.

"I don't know many players who have some of his moves."

The Boomers jumped out to a 21-13 first quarter advantage.

Angola's Joaquim Gomes, who has just finished a four-year career at Valparaiso University in Indiana and is looking for a club, shaved the deficit to five with a three-pointer to start the second quarter but Angola wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way.

Australia were 29 of 59 (49%) from the field, including seven of 18 (39%) from three point range.

Angola, beaten by Lithuania in their first contest, made just 19 of 71 (27%) from the floor.

From Jeff Taylor, PA International, Athens