The FIBA World Cup: Who to Watch and What is at Stake for The Americans

Every four years, basketball fans are treated to competitive play from the best players around the world in the FIBA World Cup Tournament. And no, I don’t mean strictly NBA players. The game of basketball has experienced global growth over the last two decades due in part to the NBA’s desire for expansion. Think about it, arguably 4 out of the 10 best players in the NBA are not U.S.-born (Jokić, Giannis, Embiid, and Luka)! While only Luka Dončić will be competing with his national Slovenian Team (Ranked 7th), there is plenty of competition facing our American Men. Let’s look at who stands in the way of Team USA, and what is at stake for American Basketball.

First-Round Groups to Watch

This year’s tournament features 32 teams split up into groups of four. Team USA is in Group C, which features Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand. Both Greece and the USA ranked in the top 10 heading into the tournament (9th and 2nd respectively). New Zealand and Jordan both were outside of the top 25. Greece should prove to be the toughest matchup for the U.S. in the first round. While 2x NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, will not be playing due to off-season surgery, Greece still pulled off two exhibition wins against 7th-ranked Slovenia before dropping the following two.

Group E

Australia and Germany headline this group. Both teams boast NBA talents such as Josh Giddey (OKC), Patty Mills (BRK), Dennis Schröder (LAL), and the Wagner Brothers (ORL). With this much talent on both sides, it’s understandable why Australia (3rd) and Germany (11th) were ranked so highly. Australia’s only loss through those four games was to a Brazil team featuring Bruno Cabocolo, who put on a dominant performance with 20 points,12 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Germany’s lone loss came after giving up a lead to a monstrous 34-point night from Anthony Edwards and Team USA.

Group H

Headlining this group are the French and Canadian national teams. Ranking 5th and 15th overall, these two teams are loaded with NBA players. On the French side, Nicolas Batum (LAC), Evan Fournier (NYK), Rudy Gobert (MIN), and Frank Ntilikina (DAL) lead the charge. Canada has All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammate Luguentz Dort (OKC). Flanking the Thunder players are R.J. Barrett (NYK), Dillon Brooks (HOU), and Kelly Olynyk (UTA). The French have had seven tune-up games (6-1) and Rudy Gobert has been excellent in terms of production and efficiency (13 ppg/8.5 rpg/85 FG%). The Canadians went 3-2 in their exhibition matches but picked up nice wins against Germany and top-ranked Spain.

Expectations for Team USA

The Americans went 4-0 in their friendly matchups. Anthony Edwards has been the top dog on this team, and he showed it when it mattered most. Edwards led the charge in the U.S.’s rally against the Germans with a game-high 34 points. The construction of this team led many to be doubtful of their potential. After these exhibition games, though, it is clear this team is crafted for fit and European play. America once again has a go-to weapon in Edwards, a rim-protecting floor spacer in Jaren Jackson Jr., and one of the best tempo pushers in basketball, Tyrese Haliburton. A versatile team on both ends of the floor gives the U.S. real championship aspirations. This won’t come easy though, as the competition pool is deep and threatening.

As noted above, there is plenty of NBA talent to give the Americans trouble. But Team USA’s projected path bypasses those teams and leads them to Spain. The reigning world champions have talent, skill, and something the Americans lack: continuity. Most of Team USA is playing together for the first time this tournament. Spanish players like Willy and Juancho Hernangómez and Rudy Fernandez were a part of the 2022 EuroBasket Championship Team. The Spaniards have the tools to make a deep run in this tournament and are rightfully the top-ranked team.

At stake for the American team is the basketball throne. The NBA is filled with European talent, and the rest of the world is priming the next generation of elite basketball players. The question to be answered by the Americans is “Are we the best?”. Does America still reign as the king? Or is the heir to be crowned on Sept. 10?

Watch the FIBA World Cup on ESPN and ESPN+