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NC State Basketball Alum's Olympic Debut Comes to End

Former NC State basketball star Lorenzo Brown and Spain came up one win shy of reaching the quarterfinals in Paris.
Matt Giles|
Former NC State basketball guard Lorenzo Brown
Former NC State basketball guard Lorenzo Brown | John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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NC State basketball product Lorenzo Brown, who has been shining overseas since his five-year NBA career ended in 2019, gained Spain citizenship in 2022 and joined the country for his Olympic debut in Paris.

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But that debut came to an end in the team's Group A finale on Friday. Spain (1-2) lost to Canada (3-0), 88-85, and thereby fell short of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Brown finished the contest with four points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and five turnovers in 24 minutes on the floor. The 33-year-old guard shot 2-for-9 from the field, including an 0-for-4 clip beyond the arc.

Overall, it wasn't his best outing.

In an 84-77 win over Greece on Tuesday, Brown became only the second Spain player to ever record 10 or more assists in an Olympic contest.

As a full-time starter across Spain's three outings, he averaged 6.0 points, 2.0 boards, 7.0 dimes, and 5.3 turnovers while shooting 30.4 percent from the field, 11.1 percent from three, and 75.0 percent at the charity stripe.

He joined Tommy Burleson (1972) and Kenny Carr (1976) as the only NC State basketball talents to compete in Olympic men's basketball. Brown is the first to do so for a squad other than Team USA.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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