Previewing the 2023 FIBA World Cup

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off today, August 25th, in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

Latin countries represented in the tournament are the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, and Brazil.

The tournament is hosted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). It will be the 19th World Cup in the Federation’s history. The first tournament dates back to 1950. The competition will feature 32 different countries from across the globe. The last tournament occurred in 2019 when Spain defeated Argentina to take the Gold.

The teams will be separated into fours in eight different groups. After each team from their respective group play one another the top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. The tournament will end on September 10th.

The Dominican Republic will feature two NBA players on its team for 2023. Minnesota Timberwolves all-star Karl-Anthony Towns will play along with fellow NBA counterpart Lester Quiñones from the Golden State Warriors. Towns is one of the best players in the entire tournament as the 27-year-old is a former first-overall pick, three-time All-star, NBA Rookie of the Year, and two-time third-team NBA selection. Quiñones has been in the Warriors system since 2022 and has racked up awards on his way up the league. The 22-year-old won the NBA G League Most Improved Player and G League All-Rookie team. The team’s first game will be played on August 25 vs. The Philippines.

The returning champion country, Spain, has a pair of NBA players on their rosters as the Dominican does. Forward  Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies. Aldama has been with Memphis since 2021 and has earned himself a spot as a role player. Usman Garuba will be playing forward for Spain. After being with Houston for two seasons, Garuba was traded twice last season from Houston to the Atlanta Hawks and then once more to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was waived by OKC on August 21st. Spain will play Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday, August 26th.

Brazil has a lone NBA player, Raul Neto. Neto played in the NBA from 2019 till the 2023 season. During his time in the NBA, the point guard played on three different teams- the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brazil plays Iran on Saturday, August 26th.

Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela will not feature any NBA players. That won’t stop the teams from competing. All teams have a chance to make it to the second round out of the highly competitive group stage.

Puerto Rico vs South Sudan on Saturday, August 26th

Mexico vs Montenegro on Friday, August 25th

Venezuela vs Slovenia on Saturday,
August 26th.

Notable dates for the tournament 

Group stage play: August 25-31

Second round: September 1-3

Quarterfinals: September 5-7

Semifinals: September 8-9

Championship Sunday, September 10th in Manilla, Philippines.