Kenan Blackshear stole the show in paradise, pouring in 30 points as the Nevada Wolf Pack toppled Georgia Tech 72-64 to claim the 2023 Diamond Head Classic championship. The victory marks Nevada’s first-ever win in the prestigious holiday tournament, adding another impressive chapter to the program’s strong start to the season.
Blackshear was on fire throughout the game, shooting an efficient 11-of-14 from the field and adding five rebounds and four assists. He was ably supported by his teammates, with Jarod Lucas chipping in 14 points and seven assists, and Will Baker contributing 11 points and nine rebounds. Georgia Tech put up a valiant fight, led by Michael Devoe’s 22 points and Jordan Usher’s 15 points. However, the Yellow Jackets struggled to contain Blackshear and couldn’t find enough consistent offense to mount a sustained challenge.
Blackshear’s performance was the centerpiece of Nevada’s win. The junior guard was simply unstoppable, attacking the basket with ferocity and knocking down open shots from the perimeter. He drew double teams throughout the game but consistently found ways to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
“Kenan was electric tonight,” said Nevada head coach Steve Alford. “He was aggressive, he made tough shots, and he really carried us offensively. He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now, and it’s showing on the court.”
While Blackshear stole the headlines, Nevada’s win was a true team effort. The Wolf Pack received contributions from up and down the lineup, with five players scoring in double figures. Their defense was also impressive, holding Georgia Tech to just 42% shooting from the field.
“This was a great team win,” said Lucas. He mentioned that they all had each other’s backs out there, and they never gave up. This is a huge win for their program, and it’s something they mentioned to remember for a long time.
After suffering a defeat at the hands of Georgia Tech in the Maui Invitational championship game the previous year, Nevada was able to exact a sweet retribution with this triumph. The Wolf Pack demonstrated that they are a serious contender on the national scene by demonstrating that they were able to turn the tables on the Yellow Jackets this time.
With a record of 12-1 and a great deal of momentum, Nevada prepares to return home. The Wolf Pack have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent in the Mountain West Conference, and they intend to continue to thrive in the coming year by attempting to improve upon their previous achievements.
Georgia Tech, on the other hand, will have to find a way to recover from this disheartening defeat and go through the process of regrouping together. The Diamond Head Classic is one of the premier holiday tournaments in college basketball, featuring a strong field of teams from across the country. This year’s tournament was no exception, with several close games and thrilling finishes. Nevada’s victory adds another chapter to the tournament’s rich history and proves that the Wolf Pack belong among the best teams in college basketball.