Arturs Zagars on breaking FIBA World Cup single-game record for assists: 'Just a bit lucky'

Arturs Zagars on Saturday made history as he shattered an almost three-decade record in the FIBA World Cup for most assists in a single game, dishing out 17 dimes in Latvia's 98-63 beating of Lithuania in their battle for fifth.

Zagars, only 23 years old, broke the previous record of 15 assists set by Toni Kukoc of Croatia (1994) and Carlik Jones of South Sudan (2023).

But for Zagars, he didn't exactly do anything special.

"I just tried to read and trust my instincts and if I see an open man, I try to dish it and he makes a shot, that's an assist," Zagars said in the post-game press conference.

"But I don't think it's something special. Maybe I was just a bit lucky today because every time I passed the ball, like I said before, they made the shots. Nothing much else to add."

Aside from the record, he also had a turnover-free night, as well as six rebounds and a steal.

Zagars, though, said the win was more important for him as it allowed them to finish at fifth place in their World Cup debut.

"I was just passing the ball and my teammates made the shots early in the first half as well and that's that," he added.

"It's that simple, I just passed the ball and they made the shots so obviously, I am grateful and thankful. It means more that we finished in the top five."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News