Anchorage’s Travante Williams. Photo courtesy of FIBA
Portugal and South Sudan got an assist from Alaska in bagging some big wins over the weekend in FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Anchorage’s Mareng Gatkuoth dropped in four 3-pointers and scored 16 points in 18 minutes off the bench for his biggest offensive explosion in nine international games as South Sudan crushed Congo 101-58 Saturday.
The next day Anchorage’s Travante Williams produced a 10-point, 7-assist effort as Portugal cruised by Cyprus 102-69.
Williams – a 2021 Portuguese League Finals MVP – made his debut for the national team in this two-game window, starting both nights, averaging 28 minutes and helping Portugal post a 2-0 record.
The 6-foot-6 forward out of UAF averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. His assist to turnover ratio was 5-to-1. He furnished a +38 plus/minus rating in the win over Cyprus and was +14 in a 75-59 win over Romania, thanks in part to this remarkable runner off glass in traffic.
Bem-vindo à seleção portuguesa, Travante Williams (@wellconnectedAk). pic.twitter.com/wJoH2nPhZo
— Ricardo Brito Reis (@rbritoreis) August 25, 2022
Williams, 29, is in his seventh pro season in Portugal, where he has blossomed into a world-class player. He’s a 3-time Portuguese League champion and a 4-time Defensive Player of the Year.
He’s no stranger to major international competition, having logged major minutes with his pro team Sporting at the Champions League and Europe Cup in 2020 and 2021. In FIBA World Cup qualifying, Portugal is tied with Bulgaria atop Europe’s Group F at 2-0. The teams will play Nov. 10 in the next window.
Gatkuoth, 22, has thrived in his time with South Sudan across three window of games in February, July and August. The team is 8-1 with the Alaskan on the court and sits atop Group F among Africa nations.
Anchorage’s Mareng Gatkuoth. Photo courtesy of FIBA
The 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 7.4 points and reached double figures four times. He has drained 18-of-40 3s in the tournament, with 54 of his 67 points coming from downtown. He was +33 verses Congo, crushing his previous PR of +8 with South Sudan.
The former JC all-star spent last season with Montana State before entering the NCAA transfer portal. Gatkuoth’s elite 3-point shooting and perimeter defense for South Sudan is sure to have turned heads with college coaches.
South Sudan’s next game will be against Senegal (6-3) Feb. 23, 2023 in the next window.