A Stacked Field
The FIBA Basketball World Cup is back, with the action in this year’s tournament kicking off imminently. A total of 32 teams will be vying for the crown and the competition looks to be fierce this time around.
The 19th edition of the tournament is being jointly hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia - all three are looking to make waves on the big stage.
Take a look at who we think are the favourites coming in, the dark horses, the rank outsiders and which of the biggest stars are set to compete.
The Favourites
United States
- Head Coach: Steve Kerr
- Previously Won?: 5x (1954, 1986, 1994, 2010, 2014)
- Predicted Finish: 1st
As is traditionally the case, the United States comes in as the top favourite. With their 12-man squad made up of purely NBA players, many would predict an easy romp to the gold medal. However, this is the first US national team without an All-NBA level player.
The top 15 players in the NBA are not represented here, yet Steve Kerr should have enough talent to play with. The leading name here is Anthony Edwards, who tore up the competition in exhibition games.
The likes of Puerto Rico and Slovenia stood no chance in those games, with only Spain and Germany providing a real challenge. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart provide depth on the wings, with this US team being stacked at Small Forward.
The Rookie of the Year (Paolo Banchero) and Defensive Player of the Year (Jaren Jackson Jr.) are also represented. While this team lacks size and age - no player is older than 28 - there should be more than enough for them to get the gold. Bet against them if you dare.
Spain
- Head Coach: Sergio Scariolo
- Previously Won?: 2x (2006, 2019)
- Predicted Finish: 2nd
Spain is looking to play the spoiler. No longer led by the Gasol brothers, this team is looking to continue its recent dominance. Winners of the most recent EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup, they are in an envious position.
La Roja features two NBA players - the rest of the roster includes a who’s who of the Liga ACB. Many are holdovers from Spain’s previous success at EuroBasket 2022, where the Hernangomez brothers reigned supreme over a spirited French team in the final.
If Spain were to be exploited at any position, it would be at Point Guard. Ricky Rubio - MVP of the last FIBA World Cup - withdrew himself early on. Sergio Llull is a fine replacement for him at the group stage and Spain should face few troubles there.
It remains to be seen whether he and the rest of La Familia will be able to handle the US’s premier Point Guards.
Australia
- Head Coach: Brian Goorjian
- Previously Won?: Never
- Predicted Finish: 3rd
Don’t rule out the Aussies. This Australian team has the chance to go far and is brimming with NBA talent. A total of nine players feature in the top league, with many of those having big impacts for their clubs.
Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey will be the X factors here. Giddey was unlucky to not make the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Daniels has had an under-rated impact for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Their mercurial Point Guard - Patty Mills - remains the spearhead of the attack. At age 35, Mills’ speed is not what it once was, but he always shines in these internationals.
The Boomers face two heavyweights in their group - Germany and Finland - and if they escape those challenges unscathed, they should challenge for a medal.
The Dark Horses
Serbia
- Head Coach: Svetislav Pešic
- Previously Won?: Never
- Predicted Finish: 4th
Serbia is looking to upset the natural order of this year’s tournament. Finishing a disappointing ninth at EuroBasket 2022, the Pešic-led team have the tools and players to go further. Led by NBA star Bogdan Bogdanovic and NBA rookie Nikola Jovic, the Serbs are clear favourites to top their group.
Will they top out there? Finishing 1st in the group would mean that Serbia has a clear shot to the gold medal game without facing the United States or Spain. Unfortunately, the lack of mega-watt talent Nikola Jokic will hamper them in the process of getting to the winner-take-all game.
France
- Head Coach: Vincent Collet
- Previously Won?: Never
- Predicted Finish: 5th
France have reeled off two straight bronze medals in the World Cup and are looking for more. The French would normally be tipped to reach the finals here, yet they face a perilous path. Drawn in the same group as Canada and Latvia, they will have to best both and (probably) face Spain later to get a shot at the final. Oof!
Les Blues are also hampered by no Victor Wembanyama. The most-hyped prospect since Lebron, Wembanyama opted to skip this year’s competition.
The trio of Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum can hold down the fort. Whether they can will their team to victory is another story.
Teams to Look Out For
Heliocentric teams rarely progress far in these international competitions. Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are looking to buck that trend, for fans looking for a more interesting bet with the top-rated UK bookies.
As the star players for Slovenia and Greece respectively, both teams should theoretically make it out of their groups. Doncic’s 47-point game in last year’s EuroBasket was the most points scored in that tournament in 65 years. More heroics will be needed for both teams to progress far.
Finland are 24th in FIBA’s rankings, yet it will not be surprising to see them deeper in the tournament. The NBA’s Most Improved Player - Lauri Markkanen - will feature heavily for them. If they take out the titans of Germany and Australia, the Finns could challenge for medals.
The World Cup should have fans looking at surprises of the tourney, with this year’s looking to be with one of the African teams. Five qualified this year, and the debutants of South Sudan and Cape Verde aren’t there to make up the numbers. Any games featuring them will be dicey for bettors.
Conclusion
The United States have a favourable run to the final and are looking to retain the top FIBA ranking here. A plethora of teams are looking to stop them, making this tournament one of the most exciting in years.
Can the United States get a 6th gold medal? Can Spain win 3 international competitions in a row? Will the Philippines surprise everyone?
Let the World Cup games begin!