FIBA World Cup 2023: Preview and stars to watch

Paris 2024

Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will co-host the 19th edition of the men's basketball World Cup from 25 August to 10 September. Find out more about the tournament including stars to watch and how countries can directly qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

5 minBy Chloe Merrell
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The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is almost upon us.

The tournament, running from 25 August to 10 September, features 32 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Three venues across Manila will host four preliminary round groups, two second round groups, and the final tournament phase, while Okinawa and Jakarta will each host two preliminary round groups and one second round group.

On the line is the coveted world title, but there’s more at stake.

This World Cup is also the primary qualification route for teams for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The top two finishers from Europe and the Americas, plus the best-placed teams from Africa, Asia and Oceania, will all join hosts France at next year's Games.

So, which teams are ready to step up and who will lead them? Discover our top five stars to watch below.

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Players to watch at 2023 FIBA World Cup

Luka Doncic - Slovenia

When it comes to players sure to ignite the world stage, it’s hard to look past Slovenia’s Luka Doncic.

The 24-year-old Dallas Mavericks guard showed his star quality by leading Slovenia to fourth place in their first men's Olympic basketball tournament. They could have made the final had it not been for a last-gasp block by France's Nicolas Batum.

Though unable to retain their title at EuroBasket 2022, Doncic was still able to underline his individual brilliance with 47 points against Olympic silver medallists France - the second most in tournament history.

With a supporting cast including Mike Tobey, Klemen Prepelic and young gun Ziga Samar, Slovenia are not to be taken lightly.

Anthony Edwards - USA

While Team USA is without its NBA superstars, the 12-man roster assembled is packed full of potential greatness with no player embodying that more than Anthony Edwards.

Picked first in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard is developing a lethal combination of power and precision in both offence and defence and showcasing his skills on the international stage.

His rise this year was acknowledged with a first NBA All-Star appearance, but it won't be enough to satisfy the young talent who has said he wants to surpass Michael Jordan as the best shooting guard in history.

Rudy Gobert - France

Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert returns to front France’s line-up for this year’s World Cup.

And with the man known as the 'Stifle Tower’ on board, next year’s Olympic hosts have every reason to believe they could claim a first world title.

Defender, scorer, leader - when it comes to the international game, Gobert is known for stepping up when it counts as shown by his role in victories over Team USA at the 2019 World Cup 2019 and in the group stages of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

While Olympic qualification is no concern for France, upgrading their recent string of major tournament silver and bronze medals to gold certainly is - and with his good friend Evan Fournier, and Nando de Colo by his side, Gobert will hope to be lifting the Naismith Trophy in Manila on 10 September.

Rudy Fernandez - Spain

Set to play in his last World Cup after formally announcing his intentions to retire after Paris 2024, there will be an unmissable energy around Rudy Fernandez when the action gets underway.

The 38-year-old Real Madrid hero is one of the most decorated basketball players in the history of the men’s game with two world titles (2006, 2019), fourEuroBasket crowns (2009, 2011, 2015, 2022) and three Olympic medals - two silvers and a bronze.

While Spain are without Ricky Rubio who is taking a mental health break, Fernandez and fellow veteran Sergio Llull plus the Hernangomez brothers - Willy and Juancho - will ensure La Roja put up a spirited title defence.

Rudy Fernandez (centre) celebrates after winning his fourth EuroBasket title with Spain in 2022.

(2022 Getty Images)

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023: Schedule in full

Friday 25 August: First round

Saturday 26 August: First round

Sunday 27 August: First round

Monday 28 August: First round

Tuesday 29 August: First round

Wednesday 30 August: First round

Friday 1 September: Second round

Sunday 3 September: Second round

Tuesday 5 September: Quarter-finals

Wednesday 6 September: Quarter-finals

Friday 8 September: Semi-finals

Sunday 10 September: Final and third-place play-off

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