Both teams return to the hardwood Monday.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Former Washington State men's basketball student-athletes, Aron Baynes (2006-09), Brock Motum (2010-13) and Klay Thompson (2009-11) each experienced Olympic success Saturday, as Australia and the United States won their respective Olympic openers in Group A.
Australia shocked many with an 87-66 victory over world ranked No. 5 France. The U.S., a favorite to win the Gold, easily handled China with a 119-62 victory. Baynes and Motum are playing for Australia, while Thompson is playing for the U.S.
A native of Cairns, Baynes got the start for the Boomers (Australia's national team), while Motum, from Brisbane, came into the game in the final minutes, notching a minute of action.