Mizzou assistant coach Tavaras Hardy and recent-transfer CJ Gunn opened the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup with a split Wednesday in Wuhan, China.
Hardy is serving as the head coach for the United States, while Gunn, who recently enrolled at Missouri, is competing for the U.S. alongside Eric Dailey Jr., Alex Fudge and Mark Armstrong.
The United States opened Pool D play with a 21-14 victory over Argentina before suffering a 21-14 loss to the Republic of Korea.
Gunn made an immediate impact in the opening game against Argentina, scoring six points on 3-of-6 shooting from 2-point range. He added four rebounds and three blocks, finishing with a team-best 9.2 player value rating.
His three 2-point makes accounted for half of the United States’ six successful 2-point shots as the Americans pulled away for their first win of the tournament.
Gunn struggled to find the same rhythm against Korea, scoring three points while adding three rebounds and one block. He shot 1-for-2 on 1-point attempts and 1-for-8 from 2-point range as Korea reached 21 points before the United States could respond.
The split gives the United States a 1-1 record heading into its final two pool-play games Friday. The Americans will face China and Lithuania on Sept. 18 with a spot in the knockout stage on the line.
For Gunn, the tournament offers an early opportunity to compete internationally before making his way to Missouri. The former Indiana and DePaul guard is reportedly set to transfer to MU, but has not yet been added to the Tigers’ official roster.
For Hardy, the tournament provides another coaching opportunity on the international stage as he prepares for his first season on Dennis Gates’ staff.
The U.S. will close pool play early Friday morning with games against China and Lithuania. Those games will be live on the FIBA 3×3 YouTube.
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