The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 is set to tip-off in China from August 31 through September 15. The 32 qualified teams were randomly selected into one of 8 different 4-team groups. The top 2 teams in each group will progress to the next round.
The 32-team tournament is a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in which 7 teams will qualify. 2 from Europe, 2 from the Americas and 1 each from the Oceania regions, Asia, and Africa. An additional 4 spots will be decided in qualifying in July 2020. Japan is the only qualifier confirmed for the 12-team Tokyo Olympics, considering they are the host.
Bear in mind that most of the biggest basketball stars will be missing the FIBA World Cup for various reasons. For instance, America will miss the services of players like James Harden, Damian Lillard, and Anthony Davis. Canada as well will play without RJ Barret and Jamal Murray. Australia also won’t have Ben Simmons on their list, and Pau Gasol will not play for Spain.
Recalling 2006, the USA boasted the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard on their roster, yet clinched the third position that year. On the other side, Spain led predominately by NBA players Jose Calderon and Pau Gasol took home gold. Spain’s win showed that having the highest number of NBA players in your roster doesn’t guarantee victory.
Possibly, this year’s event will be filled with a lot of new talent and rising stars seeking to make a mark at the top of their game. In particular, you have to watch these players in FIBA 2019 World Cup. Apart from these, let’s take a closer look at other men who’ll be dominating the FIBA 2019 scoreboards— from usual suspects to new entrants:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
Height/Weight: 6′ 11″ / 242 lbs.
2018-19 Stats
| PPG | 3PM/G | SPG | BPG | APG | RPG |
| 27.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Greece is led by arguably the best player at the tournament, the 2019 NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The PF, Milwaukee Bucks’ player was the top player on the team that posted the best results during the regular season.
2. Patty Mills, Australia
Height/Weight: 6′ 0″ / 180 lbs.
2018-19 Stats
| PPG | 3PM/G | SPG | BPG | APG | RPG |
| 9.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 2.2 |
San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Patty Mills will lead the Australian squad into action in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The experienced NBA player has been a stalwart of the Boomers program over the years. And now he’s determined to put it together, and have a good crack at it.
- Marc Gasol, Spain
Height/Weight: 7′ 1″ / 255 lbs.
2018-19 Stats
| PPG | 3PM/G | SPG | BPG | APG | RPG |
| 13.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 4.4 | 7.9 |
Marc Gasol is arguably one the best Spaniards playing the game of basketball and will be bursting with confidence considering they recently won the NBA Championship.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia
Height/Weight: 6′ 6″ / 205 lbs.
2018-19 Stats
| PPG | 3PM/G | SPG | BPG | APG | RPG |
| 14.1 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
Sacramento Kings’ swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic and other NBA and EuroLeague talent lead a team that could upset the favorites this year. In a statement, Bogdanovic said he’s determined to create many open shots for himself and others.