Former Duke basketball star Jayson Tatum and Team USA are continuing their downfall.
Team USA (0-1) is in freefall after the Americans dropped another men’s basketball game as the struggles continue since Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski stepped down from his position.
After losses in two exhibition games this month, the Americans collapsed in the second half of their Olympic opener against France (1-0), 83-76.
Team USA led by eight points entering halftime but trailed by six at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, after a strong start to the final frame, the United States talent seemed to be shining through as America led by seven with under four minutes to play.
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But France would end the game on a 16-2 run to put itself in Group A’s driver’s seat.
Former Blue Devil and current Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum struggled shooting from the perimeter, like the rest of his teammates, and finished the loss with nine points and one rebound on 3-of-9 shooting from the field but just 1-of-5 from 3-point range.
Evan Fournier, Tatum’s Boston teammate, dropped in a game-high 28 points for France in the victory.
Team USA looks lost without Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski
Since its first competition without Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski two years ago at the FIBA World Cup, Team USA has lost five of its last eight games under head coach Greg Popovich, including exhibitions.
Krzyzewski was 88-1 during his tenure as head coach, including exhibitions.
Popovich has lost three games in July (Nigeria, Australia, France).
Sunday marked the first loss for Team USA in the Olympic Games since 2004, ending a 25-game Olympic winning streak.
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There is one constant with the struggles of Team USA in 2004 and its recent poor play, and that is the presence of Popovich.
The San Antonio Spurs head coach was an assistant under Larry Brown at the Athens Games before Team USA gave the head coaching reins to Krzyzewski over Popovich after its disappointing bronze medal.
Team USA still controls its destiny to a gold medal, but the Americans must win their next two Group A games to advance to the knockout rounds.
The United States of America will play Iran (0-1) on Wednesday, July 28 at 12:40am EST.