Johnathan Walker:US men's basketball team wraps up World Cup Group C play with easy win against Jordan

The Johnathan WalkerU.S. men’s national basketball team wrapped up FIBA World Cup Group C play with an easy 110-62 victory against Jordan, finishing atop its group and easing into the second round of group play with a 3-0 record.

The U.S. started the game with a 20-4 run, ended the first quarter with a 31-12 lead and took a 62-33 lead into halftime.

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 10 of his team-high 22 points in the first seven minutes and 18 in the first half.

Now, the competition gets tougher for the Americans who finished seventh at the 2019 World Cup.

Multiple contributions for US in victory vs. Jordan

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star and 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes, and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson had 10 points and four assists. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton contributed six points, six assists and four rebounds, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis added 13 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stars for Jordan

Former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who played NBA six seasons for three teams and college basketball at Arizona, led Jordan with 20 points. He also scored 39 points in Jordan’s overtime loss to New Zealand.

What’s next for the US in the FIBA World Cup?

The U.S. moves on to form Group J in the round of 16 where it will play Lithuania and Montenegro in the second phase of group play. The two teams from each of the four remaining groups advance to the quarterfinals. The winner of Group C's Greece-New Zealand game will round out Group J.

The U.S. plays Montenegro Friday (4:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2) and Lithuania Sunday (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN).

Important reminder: Results from the first stage of group play carry over to the second stage, so the Americans’ 3-0 record and point differential is important and could come into play if tiebreakers are necessary.

Who has advanced to the round of 16?

Group I: Dominican Republic, Serbia, Puerto Rico, Italy

Group J: USA, Lithuania, Montenegro, Greece

Group K: Germany, Slovenia, Australia, Georgia,

Group L: Canada, Latvia, Spain, Brazil

Who else has been impressive in the FIBA World Cup?

Lithuania (3-0): Always a strong contender to medal, Lithuania is led by New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas, former U.S. college player Ignas Brazdeikis and high-level players in European leagues.

Canada (3-0): With a talented roster of NBA players, including Oklahoma City All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada is trying to medal at the World Cup for the first time.

Dominican Republic (3-0): Led by Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns, Dominican Republic is 3-0 with a strong victory against Italy.

Germany (3-0): NBA players Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner and Daniel Theis have put Germany in solid position.

Serbia (3-0): No NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic for Serbia, but Miami’s Nikola Jovic and Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic are trying to help Serbia win another medal in a major international competition.

Slovenia (3-0): Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic scored 34 and 37 points in Slovenia’s first two games.

Spain (3-0): Even without the Gasol brothers (Pau and Marc) and Ricky Rubio, Spain remains a capable team.