The 2023 FIBA World Cup is just around the corner, and it is shaping up to be a fun one considering how the playing field is shaping out.
Spain come into this tournament as the defending champions, and the FIBA World Cup 2023 odds have them as one of the favourites to win it all. However, their hopes of a repeat won’t come easy, as the other 31 nations are coming for their heads.
After the official announcement of the preliminary rosters, almost all teams started their preparations by participating in pocket tournaments from different places, with building fitness and chemistry being their main objectives.
Read more below as SBOTOP shares the latest FIBA World Cup 2023 updates, focusing particularly on some of the biggest NBA stars.
Banchero chooses Team USA, leaves Italy fuming
Paolo Banchero once signaled his intent to play for Italy, where he represented in youth basketball. However, he will play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, citing his roots.
The Magic forward was born in Seattle to an American mother and an Italian father. Paolo said his mom, Rhonda Smith-Banchero, a former WNBA and Team USA player in the 1990s, inspired him to represent the Stars and Stripes.
This decision obviously didn’t sit well for Italy. Italian Basketball Federation Gianni Petrucci slammed Banchero for his decision because they thought he was going to be the face of Italian basketball for the foreseeable future.
“Betrayal, especially in basketball, is a strong word,” said Petrucci. “Situations like this happen, and personally, I’m used to it. But he fooled us, and we were planning a great commercial strategy for him.”
At Team USA, Banchero will face significant competition at the forward position with the likes of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Bobby Portis present. He is fresh from winning NBA Rookie of the Year last season, averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 72 regular season games for the Magic.
Just like in 2019, USA aren’t as star-studded as expected with most marquee NBA stars unavailable, but it’ll be foolish to count them out because they’re still stacked.
Team USA roster comprises Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr. Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis, and Austin Reaves.
Greece wary about Giannis’ health
Greece listed Giannis Antetokounmpo on their preliminary roster, but the Bucks superstar underwent a procedure on his left knee earlier this summer, which casts doubts on his availability this August.
If Brian Windhorst is to be believed, Greece are going to prepare for life without the Greek Freak. The ESPN reporter said that Antetokounmpo is doing all he can to play in the competition, but he believes it is only a matter of time before they rule him out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is definitely the most critical factor in Greece’s fortunes in the FIBA World Cup. He is coming off his highest-scoring NBA season, averaging 31.1 points per game on 55-per cent shooting from the field.
With or without Giannis, the Antetokounmpo household is going to be represented in the FIBA World Cup, as Kostas and Thanasis are available.
Slovenia get Doncic injury scare
Luka Doncic had to leave Slovenia’s exhibition game against Greece on Friday, which had fans worried.
The Mavericks point guard appeared to bump knees with Emmanouil Chatzidakis while trying to navigate his way through a screen, but reports indicate it is nothing serious and that he was pulled out early as a precaution.
Like Giannis Antetokounmpo for Greece, Slovenia’s hopes of making a deep run lie on Doncic’s shoulders. Doncic is coming off his best NBA campaign even if the Mavs missed the playoffs, averaging 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
He also suffered thigh and ankle injuries in the 2022-23 season, so Slovenia are managing his load before the FIBA World Cup.
Jokic to take a break from Serbia
Nikola Jokic is not included in Serbia’s preliminary roster, as multiple reports cited his intent to rest following a long and grueling 2022-23 NBA campaign.
Jokic was the driving force behind the Nuggets’ first-ever title after beating the Heat in the finals in five games. He was the Finals MVP with averages of 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game on an efficient 58-per cent shooting from the field.
But even without Jokic, Serbia are still a force to be reckoned with since they still have quality NBA players in Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, and Aleksej Pokusevski.
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