Former Memphis basketball players Lester Quiñones and Nick Jourdain stood tall on the international stage after helping the United States claim the FIBA International Cup for the first time in 52 years.
Quiñones had 11 points, two assists and four steals for NBA G League United in its 89-86 win over Rytas Vilnius (Lithiuania) in front of more than 8,000 in Beijing on Sept. 27, 2026. Jourdain had four points, five rebounds and a steal in the tournament's title game.
Former Villanova star Eric Dixon was named the tournament's MVP.
Quiñones and Jourdain were part of a 12-man roster selected to represent the G League at the international competition, which pits champions and professionals from across the globe. G League United went 4-0 in FIBA International
Cup play, thanks in part to Quiñones and Jourdain.
Quiñones averaged 16.3 points per game during the event, while Jourdain averaged 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in four games.
In a 114-89 win over RSSB, the Basketball Africa League champion, on Sept. 26, Quiñones powered his team with 29 points and four rebounds. Jourdain's most productive game came in a win over the Beijing Royal Fighters in group play on Sept. 23, when he put up eight points and seven rebounds.
Quiñones spent three seasons (2019-22) playing for coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis, averaging 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 36.9% from the 3-point line during in his collegiate career. The 6-foot-5 guard, who was undrafted and has played in 54 career NBA games (with the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans), was an All-G League First Team selection last season for the Osceola Magic.
On Sept. 27, the Sioux Falls Skyforce acquired Quiñones, returning rights as part of a four-team trade. Whether he will join the Skyforce for the 2026–27 season is unclear.
Jourdain played two seasons (2023-25) for the Tigers, averaging 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds, after spending three seasons at Temple. On Sept. 15, Jourdain agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks, according to multiple reports. He spent the 2025-26 season with the Westchester Knicks, averaging 8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How these former Memphis basketball players helped G League United win global title
