Canadian hoopsters kings of the world at FIBA U19 Cup

It has been a long wait, but finally, Canada’s men’s program is the king of the basketball universe.

A day after a stunning semifinal upset over the heavily favoured United States, Canada was never threatened in a 79-60 rout over Italy to win the FIBA U19 World Cup in Cairo.

Star forward R.J. Barrett, of Mississauga, Ont., was held to 18 points, most of them coming at the free throw line, after dropping 38 on the Americans, but his teammates stepped up in a major way. Point guard Lindell Wigginton, of Dartmouth, N.S., returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to injury and was excellent with 11 points and three assists.

Canada’s attack consistently broke down the Italian defence in the one-sided affair.

Nate Darling of Lower Sackville, N.S., and Abu Kigab of St. Catharines, Ont., each added 12 points. Kibab and Danilo Djuricic, of Brampton, Ont., each hauled in 10 rebounds, helping Canada to a 71-46 edge on the glass.

Barrett, the son of longtime national team standout Rowan, was named tournament MVP, despite only turning 17 last week.

The win gave Canada its first gold at a FIBA men’s event. Canada won silver at the 1936 Olympics.

Canadian coach Roy Rana also guided a team that featured Andrew Wiggins, now with the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, to a bronze medal at the 2010 world under-17 championship.

Wiggins posted a photo of Canada’s winning team on his Instagram account with the caption: “Congratulations to Team Canada for making history on winning the #FIBAU19 World Cup Championship.”

Former NBA superstar Steve Nash took to Twitter to congratulate them.

“BIG Congrats Canada’s U19’s. World Champs! Lots of hard work from lots of people @CanBball for years. Enjoy this Canada. #WeAreTeamCanada,” he tweeted.