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Wiltjer blows up in San Antonio, leads Canada to bronze at the FIBA U18

The summer belongs to Kyle Wiltjer...at least how that's how things stand in our eyes.  Not only has the young man from Oregon been lighting things up on the AAU circuit and impressing scout after scout, but now he has made his mark on the international scene.  For the past few days, the best prep players from around the globe took part in the FIBA U18's and it gave way to some tremendous basketball.  The American team, loaded...and I mean loaded, from top to bottom waltzed through to a gold medal but one of the more impressive teams had to be our friends to the North and you could argue their best player all tournament long was big time Gonzaga prospect Kyle Wiltjer. 

The Oregon native and Canadian citizen rolled through the tournament in San Antonio with 19 points a game and led the field in free throw percentage and, more amazingly, three point percentage.  It's not like he made 3/5 either.  In the tournament, Kyle went 16/23 which equates to nearly 70%. 

As he has done all summer long, Wiltjer killed teams with his strong inside-out game.  Nothing exemplified this more than in today's bronze metal match against Argentina.  In a hotly contested game throughout, Kyle remained as cool as ever and knocked down 9-12 shots from the floor including 5-6 jumpers from three.  To make the night even sweeter, Wiltjer knocked down the game winning three as time ran down to deliver the bronze metal north of the border. 

Seeing Kyle shoot so well from the outside in this kind of tournament is so exciting for a number of reasons.  Many will point to the fact that he seems more confident on the outside but I just see a kid that adapted to what his team needed.  Canada has a very strong and big front line with guys like Birch and Bhullar so Kyle was able to play outside more and help his team in that respect.  I think during AAU play we have seen him show more post game rather than outside game so it is nice to see he can literally dominate from anywhere on the floor.  Most players like Kyle are far more confident in one aspect of their game than another but I have yet to see a game when I thought he was absurdly better in one aspect.  He's very balanced and that is what makes him such an intriguing prospect as Mark Few looks to bring him to Spokane for his college career.

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Yea

I’ve got my hopes up so high right now that I can’t even imagine if he doesn’t come to Gonzaga. I know that’s not a good approach but I can’t help it!!!

by coltinjespersen on Jun 30, 2010 10:42 PM PDT reply actions  

Incredible

Great post Zach!! I’m super excited to hear this news about Wiltjer. He is an amazing talent+prospect and would fit the GU program easily. Those stats you said blew me away. I know it’s only 1 tournament but 70% from three is outstanding! And the fact he shoots free throws well is a plus as all Gonzaga fans can point out to from last year. I just drool at the thought of Wiltjer and Gary Bell Jr. being on the same team come 2011! Go Mark Few+company and I hope we land Wiltjer!
Keep up the great posts Zach. You and Max do a terrific job keeping all of us Zag fans informed during the season and right now during recruiting time. Awesome Job!!!!

by zaghawks on Jul 1, 2010 12:07 AM PDT reply actions  

What About His Performance against the US?

Greetings TSSF & Board – this is my first post. I watched the games canada had between Brazil, the US and Argentina. How do you account for his performance against the US – age and experience of US squad? They focused on Wiltjer and shut him down effectively, smothered him. The US squad are 18 yr olds primarily and the Canadian squad is 17 yr olds primarily – Canada did not have Corey Joseph nor Tristan Thompson, both elibible, in the lineup. Also, Wiltjer got into very early foul trouble in the Brazil game, which canada lost by 5, and he sat out half the game. All this said, there is no doubt about this kid’s skill and potential. The Cdn team qualified for the world’s next year and most of the team will play then, part of the plan of having younger players.

As background, Wiltjer’s father, Greg, was a very solid 7 footer who played for the University of Victoria and Canada’s national team in the early 1980s.

by Bern on Jul 1, 2010 6:42 AM PDT reply actions  

Wish I could discuss...

But I wasn’t able to watch any of the games, all I know is what I’ve read from Zach’s post and what you’ve written. Thanks for the info though, definitely interesting.

by coltinjespersen on Jul 1, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not to be a downer, but...

i hope these posts arent getting people overly excited. The better he does, the more interest he gets from other bigger programs, and the less likely he is to land with us. Zach, I know you have said that you thought we had a better chance at him than GBJ, but I’m afraid that hes going to be able to go anywhere he wants, and we might not be his first choice.

by GUforlife on Jul 1, 2010 10:22 AM PDT reply actions  

Meh

Gonzaga’s had a lot of star recruits opt for a different school. Kyle will have his pick of probably anywhere in the country when he makes his final choice. As I said, I love our odds but if he doesn’t pick Gonzaga, the MAC won’t spontaneously combust. GU hoops will go on just like it has whenever other stars go elsewhere.

In the end, I’d rather write about something and talk about a kid we know is considering GU than count the days away until next season.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by Zach Bell on Jul 1, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

Kyle Wiltjer has Gonzaga HIGH on his list.

Gonzaga High
Kansas High
California High
Kentucky Med
Stanford Med
Washington Med
Arizona Low
Arizona St Low
Oregon Low
Oregon St Low
Texas Low
USC No Interest.

This is great news from Scout.com.

by ZagaZags on Jul 8, 2010 12:35 AM PDT reply actions  

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