The FIBA Basketball World Cup (also known as the FIBA Basketball World Cup, or simply the FIBA World Cup and known as the FIBA World Cup from 1950 to 2010) consists of a senior men's national team and the members of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the global governing body of the sport. Considered FIBA's flagship event.
In the tournament's current format, 32 teams will compete for the title at venues in the host country. The winning team will be awarded the Naismith trophy, first awarded in 1967. The current winners are Spain, who defeated Argentina in the 2019 tournament final.
The FIBA World Cup is one of the most prestigious international basketball tournaments in the world. It is held once every four years, and it brings together the best national basketball teams from around the globe. NBA players are not only eligible but are also essential to their respective national teams' success in the tournament.
The international game also benefits NBA players. It helps them develop their skills differently, for example, by playing with new teammates in different playing styles. Being exposed to different basketball cultures and playing in a different environment only enhances their growth as players.
NBA players' participation in the FIBA World Cup continues to be a significant factor in the competition's success. It brings an increased level of talent to the tournament, as well as improved competition and excitement. It also represents a chance for NBA players to show their national pride and represent their respective countries on the world stage. The FIBA World Cup has continually been a showcase of the best in international basketball, and it remains a significant event in the basketball calendar.
NBA Player’s Participation in FIBA World Cup
Many NBA players have played in the FIBA World Cup throughout the years. In recent years, USA Basketball has included some of the best and most popular NBA players on their roster, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant, among others.
Even though many players from the higher-profile NBA teams are not able to participate due to the NBA schedule, many choose to represent their home countries. Some of the reasons for their participation include love for the game, national pride, and the chance to play with and against the best basketball players in the world.
The participation of NBA players in the FIBA World Cup plays a significant role in the tournament. NBA players are the cream of the crop when it comes to basketball, and their involvement can significantly boost the competition's quality and excitement.
NBA players are often the star players on their respective national teams. They bring much-needed experience, scoring, and leadership to their younger and inexperienced teammates. Their basketball IQ also enables them to make the right decisions on the floor, leading to better outcomes in tight games.
The international game also benefits NBA players. It helps them develop their skills differently, for example, by playing with new teammates in different playing styles. Being exposed to different basketball cultures and playing in a different environment only enhances their growth as players.
Players that will be participating in the FIBA
After more than a month's hiatus, FIBA is back in action for the second round of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. The European region ends this Wednesday with a six-game lineup.
This upcoming qualifying window will feature 41 NBA players, including rookies like Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), and Mac McClung (Golden State Warriors). Other players, such as Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), will also return after the first round in late June/early July. It will be. The European region has its largest NBA representation with 24 players.
Here's a regional breakdown of NBA players on the FIBA roster:
Asian Region:
The games are scheduled from August 25th - August 30th.
Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz) will be playing for the Philippines.
African Region:
The games are scheduled from August 26th - August 28th.
Bruno Fernando (Houston Rockets) will play for Angola.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors) will play for Congo DR.
Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), Jordan Nwora (Milwaukee Bucks), and Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves) will play for Nigeria.
Ishmail Wainright (Phoenix Suns) will play for Uganda.
European Region:
The games are scheduled from August 24th - August 28th.
Jusuf Nurkic (Portland Trail Blazers) will play for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Clippers), Bojan Bogdanovic (Utah Jazz), and Dario Saric (Phoenix Suns) will play for Croatia.
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Evan Fournier (New York Knicks), Theo Maledon (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (Atlanta Hawks) will play for France.
Lauri Markkanen (Cleveland Cavaliers) will play for Finland.
Goga Bitadze (Indiana Pacers) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (Milwaukee Bucks) will play for Georgia.
Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), and Dennis Schroder (Houston Rockets) will play for Germany.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), and Tyler Dorsey (Dallas Mavericks) will play for Greece.
Danilo Gallinari (Boston Celtics), and Simone Fontecchio (Utah Jazz) will play for Italy.
Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards) will play for Israel.
Kristaps Porzingis (Washington Wizards), and Davis Bertans (Dallas Mavericks) will play for Latvia.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), and Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans will play for Lithuania.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) will play for Serbia.
Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Goran Dragic (Chicago Bulls), and Vlatko Cancar (Denver Nuggets) will play for Slovenia.
Juancho Hernangomez (Toronto Raptors), and Willy Hernangomez (New Orleans Pelicans) will play for Spain.
Cedi Osman (Cleveland Cavaliers), Furkan Korkmaz (Philadelphia 76ers), and Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) will play for Turkey.
Svi Mykhailiuk (Toronto Raptors), and Alex Len (Sacramento Kings) will play for Ukraine.
Americas Region:
The games are scheduled from August 25th – August 29th.
Leandro Bolmaro (Utah Jazz) will play for Argentina.
Kai Jones (Charlotte Hornets) and Buddy Hield (Indiana Pacers) will play for the Bahamas.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Kelly Olynk (Detroit Pistons), Corey Joseph (Detroit Pistons), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Utah Jazz) will play for Canada.
Chris Duarte (Indiana Pacers) will play for the Dominican Republic.
Juan Toscano-Anderson (Los Angeles Lakers) will play for Mexico.
Mac McClung (Golden State Warriors) will play for the USA.
One of the big upcoming European qualifier matches will see current MVP Nikola Jokic and his native Serbia take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece on Thursday 25 August.
FAQs
A. The entire FIBA court is small, measuring 91'10" x 49'2.5" compared to the NBA's 94' x 50'.
A. FIBA doesn't have a lot of fouls. It's more physical, so more can be avoided. And there are no defensive 3-second injuries.
A. May 9, 1990, the day FIBA and the NBA signed an agreement allowing NBA players to participate in FIBA events, was an iconic moment in the game that will forever be remembered in international basketball history.
