NBA players from all over the world will be participating in this fall's FIBA World Cup.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup will take place from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. There will be a heavy NBA flavor at the event, with players from all over the world participating in the global tournament.
While the majority of stateside viewers will have their attention set on Team USA, we have seen how competitive the international sphere is lately. The United States certainly can't rest easy. Multiple bonafide NBA stars will lend their services to teams from all across the globe.
Here's a rundown and analysis of which NBA players are participating for which countries, as listed by the NBA.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group A
- Angola: No NBA players
- Dominican Republic: Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), Chris Duarte (Kings), Lester Quinones (Warriors), Al Horford (Celtics)
Huge for the DR to get both Karl-Anthony Towns and Al Horford in uniform. That's a fearsome frontcourt by any league's standard, and those two are well-suited to the international game. KAT has the skill and power combo to wreck any defense. Horford is Mr. Fundamental. He will adapt to the stylistic differences of international ball with aplomb.
- Italy: Simone Fontecchio (Jazz)
- Phillipines: Jordan Clarkson (Jazz)
Good representation for the Jazz in this tournament. This is only the beginning. The international game doesn't always support inflated scoring totals like the NBA, but Clarkson with the keys to the car is a fun proposition.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group B
- China: Kyle Anderson (Timberwolves)
Kyle Anderson only recently obtained Chinese citizenship and he will participate in the tournament with his new team. Slo Mo is slippery, skilled, clever — he's going to look good on this stage as a master of small things with more scoring juice than the average NBA fan realizes.
- Serbia: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Hawks), Aleksej Pokusevski (Thunder), Nikola Jovic (Heat), Filip Petrusev (76ers)
Mild bummer, of course, that Nikola Jokic won't be participating. The two-time MVP is understandably tuckered after the Nuggets' championship run and he'll spend the offseason racing horses and getting prepped for Denver's title defense. Impossible to blame him.
- South Sudan: No NBA players
- Puerto Rico: No NBA players
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group C
- Greece: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
The Greek team has the best player in the tournament. That's certainly notable as prognosticators make their prognostications. We've seen Giannis drag his teams to high places in the past.
- Jordan: No NBA players
- New Zealand: No NBA players
- United States: Paolo Banchero (Magic), Mikal Bridges (Nets), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Josh Hart (Knicks), Brandon Ingram (Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Cam Johnson (Nets), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Bobby Portis (Bucks), Austin Reaves (Lakers)
The United States has populated the roster with NBA players, per tradition. It's actually a fairly balanced group this year and, as many fans will notice, there's a stark lack of true superstars. The likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry have been drifting away from Team USA in recent years. Still, the United States will enter FIBA was undeniable (but not unchallenged) favorites.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group D
- Egypt: No NBA players
- Lithuania: Jonas Valanciunas (Pelicans), Azuolas Tubelis (76ers)
Jonas Valanciunas is a considerable weapon for Lithuania. The international game is much slower and more compressed than the NBA game. His strength, touch, and footwork in the post will be put to good use — plus he's a tremendous passer for his size. Azuolas Tubelis, the Sixers' new two-way center, will need to take notes.
- Mexico: No NBA players
- Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic (Bulls)
The Bulls will get to watch Nikola Vucevic, fresh off signing a three-year, $60 million extension, tear up the international waters. For a lot of the same reasons as Valanciunas, he should be well suited to this tournament. Vooch can still put up numbers.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group E
- Australia: Xavier Cooks (Wizards), Dyson Daniels (Pelicans), Dante Exum (Mavericks), Josh Giddey (Thunder), Josh Green (Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Magic), Jock Landale (Rockets), Patty Mills (Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Trail Blazers), Jack White (Thunder)
The Boomers continue to field very talented groups across the board. Josh Giddey is verging on NBA stardom and there's a who's-who of young two-way NBA wings here: Josh Green, Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels. The Aussies will be able to guard, at the very least. Jock Landale is the perfect enforcer in the paint. A bucket of fun.
- Finland: Lauri Markkanen (Jazz)
Lauri Markkanen has spent his summer completing his mandatory military service in Finland. How quickly he shakes off the rust of patriotic duty to lead the Finnish basketball team will be interesting. We're talking about a borderline top-30 NBA player here.
- Germany: Maxi Kleber (Mavericks), Dennis Schroder (Raptors), Daniel Theis (Pacers), Franz Wagner (Magic), Moritz Wagner (Magic)
The Wagner brothers are the highlight for Germany. Franz Wagner in particular is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA. A strong FIBA run could be his coming out party in front of a broader audience. Maxi Kleber, Dennis Schroder, and Daniel Theis are the kind of proven international vets who can steer Germany to more wins than people expect.
- Japan: Yuta Watanabe (Suns), Rui Hachimura (Lakers)
Rui Hachimura's breakout postseason was a huge story in Los Angeles. He will look to carry over that momentum to the Japanese national team. He will have the help of one of the NBA's best shooters in Yuta Watanabe.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group F
- Cape Verde: No NBA players
- Georgia: Goga Bitadze (Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Spurs)
Goga Bitadze still has a chance to carve out a career with the Magic, but the name to watch here is Sandro Mamukelashvili. He's an oddball center who loves to poke around the post, shoot the occasional 3, and drop beautiful dimes — the kind you seldom see from 6-foot-11, 240-pound post monsters. He's a fun hypothetical frontcourt partner with Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio.
- Slovenia: Vlatko Cancar (Nuggets), Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
Luka Doncic has been hard at work in Slovenia over the summer. He's looking fit, and a strong international run could give him positive momentum heading into the NBA season as the Mavs look to recover from their disastrous 2022-23 campaign.
- Venezuela: No NBA players
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group G
- Brazil: Raul Neto (Cavaliers)
Legendary NBA journeyman Raul Neto. The man gets the job done. He's going to run the offense, guard his position, and hit remarkably timely shots.
- Côte d'Ivoire: Mo Bamba (76ers)
Mo Bamba is looking to get his career back on track with the Sixers next season. This is as good a place as any for him to build good habits and get into a rhythm. It will be interesting to see how his length fares against the physicality of international ball.
- Iran: No NBA players
- Spain: Ricky Rubio (Cavaliers), Santi Aldama (Grizzlies), Usman Garuba (Thunder)
The Spanish team is far removed from the heyday of the Gasol brothers, but this will still be a very competitive group headlined by some of the best European stars in the sport and three very competent NBA players. Ricky Rubio has thrived on this stage in the past; Aldama and Garuba are breakout candidates.
FIBA World Cup Rosters: NBA players in Group H
- Canada: Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), R.J. Barrett (Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Rockets), Lu Dort (Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (Jazz), Dwight Powell (Mavericks), Oshae Brissett (Celtics), Cory Joseph (Warriors)
The Canadians have an absolutely stacked roster. Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be the best backcourt in the NBA. Kelly Olynyk is the perfect do-it-all big to connect the dots. Dillon Brooks, R.J. Barrett, and Lu Dort is an all-time bad shot selection crew, but the defense will be aces. We'll see if the pieces fit together, but the maple leafs are coming.
- France: Nicolas Batum (Clippers), Evan Fournier (Knicks), Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)
NBA fans will be disappointed not to see Victor Wembanyama's name here, but the No. 1 pick is focused on getting ready for his first NBA season. Expect him on the French roster once the Olympics roll around. The same could be said for reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who's set to choose between France and Team USA.
- Latvia: Kristaps Porzinigs (Celtics), Davis Bertans (Thunder)
Kristaps Porzingis rejuvenated his career with a strong second go-around in Washington. Now he's the foundation of the Celtics' defense and a key element of the potential Eastern Conference favorites. Davis Bertans is stuck in salary dump purgatory with the extrmeley deep and young Thunder, but the man can still shoot. In fact, both these very tall men can shoot the lights out. That's potentially a very fun dynamic.
- Lebanon: No NBA players
