Every group in the 2023 FIBA World Cup has NBA players that will be representing certain nations — here’s a list.
Taking place from August 25 to September 10, the 2023 FIBA World Cup will see weeks of nonstop basketball action, with 32 countries competing for international glory. And as the tournament inches closer and closer, many fans have one question in mind: Which NBA players will be competing in the World Cup?
While we’re used to watching our favorite NBA players representing their respective teams, it will definitely be a delight to see them competing on the global stage for a change, and competing with many other players from different countries. Will their talent shine through even in a different setting?
We’ll find out soon enough. Here are the NBA players set to compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Group A
Even without Team USA, Group A has a solid lineup of NBA players. Although Angola still has yet to reveal their lineup, the Dominican Republic is carrying a good amount of NBA power.
Dominican Republic: Chris Duarte (Sacramento Kings), Al Horford (Boston Celtics), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), Lester Quinones (Golden State Warriors)
Italy: Simone Fontecchio (Utah Jazz)
Philippines: Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz)
Group B
In Group B, only two nations (so far) will be bringing their NBA talents to the FIBA World Cup, as South Suden still has yet to reveal their roster, and Puerto Rico has no NBA names on their list.
China: Kyle Anderson (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Serbia: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks), Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat), Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers), Aleksej Pokusevski (Oklahma City Thunder)
Group C
If you’re looking for the group with the most NBA players, look no further. Team USA is taking a roster full of young talents, while Greece has two iconic brothers.
Greece: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
United States: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
Group D
Though Group D does not have too many names, they still have NBA players ready to represent their respective squads.
Lithuania: Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), Azuolas Tubelis (Philadelphia 76ers)
Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)
Group E
This group is one of the few wherein all teams have league players on their roster, making the action between these nations definitely among those to keep an eye out on.
Australia: Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Jock Landale (Houston Rockets), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Jack White (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Finland: Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
Germany: Dennis Schroder (Toronto Raptors), Daniel Theis (Indiana Pacers), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
Japan: Yuta Watanabe (Phoenix Suns), Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers)
Group F
Even though Group F only has four names so far, Slovenia will be one of the most watched teams simply because of the young talent they have on their roster.
Georgia: Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili (San Antonio Spurs)
Slovenia: Vlatko Cancar (Denver Nuggets), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
Group G
As the reigning champions, Spain is also another team that will have eyes on them, whether or not they rely on their NBA names at the World Cup.
Brazil: Raul Neto (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Cote d’Ivoire: Mo Bamba (Los Angeles Lakers)
Spain: Ricky Rubio (Cleveland Cavaliers), Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies), Usman Garuba (Atlanta Hawks)
Group H
Finally, we have Group H, another one with many NBA players to watch out for thanks to Canada’s stacked lineup.
Canada: Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), RJ Barrett (New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks), Oshae Brissett (Boston Celtics), Cory Joseph (Golden State Warriors)
France: Frank Ntilikina (Free agent), Nicolas Batum (LA Clippers), Evan Fournier (New York Knicks), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Latvia: Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics), Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
So, which players are you most excited to see at the World Cup?
Banner images from NBA.
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