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Danilo Gallinari named MVP of 2018 NBA Africa Game

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 01: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots a free throw at Staples Center on April 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danilo Gallinari
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 01: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots a free throw at Staples Center on April 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danilo Gallinari

LA Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari shined in the 2018 NBA Africa Game, leading Team World to a 96-92 victory over Team Africa.

Danilo Gallinari is your 2018 Manute Bol MVP of the 2018 NBA Africa Game. Gallo led Team World with 23 points in Pretoria, South Africa Saturday. The 2018 NBA Africa Game put the bow on a week of NBA events, including a Basketball Without Borders camp.

The Rooster finished the game with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while dropping 9 out of 10 shots, including a perfect 3-3 from deep. Team World was able to hold off a late-game come back fueled by Team Africa’s Joel Embiid. The 76ers’ franchise center finished with a game-high 24 points in the loss.

Gallinari, LA’s sole representative, was one of three players in the game who was also a former Basketball Without Borders camper. He participated in the 2003 Basketball Without Borders Europe camp before starting his international playing career, according to NBA.com.

Gallo looked back to his old self with this performance, coming off a disappointing debut season in Los Angeles that was marred by injuries. The Italian native only played 21 games during his first season in Los Angeles. He suffered through a nagging glute injury before a broken hand ended his season.

Gallinari told ESPN Friday that he was ready to take on LeBron James and the rest of the NBA.  If this game is any indication, the Clippers’ $21 Million Man seems up for the challenge. Doc Rivers and staff will be looking to see what they have slotting Gallinari next to Tobias Harris for a more extended stretch.

While the NBA Africa Game may not have had the most star-studded lineups on either side, it was still nice to see Gallinari show out against NBA talent. Hopefully this can give Clippers fans some optimism that Gallo could be long-needed wing scorer we were all expecting to see last season.

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