FIBA World Cup 2023: Unexpected stars, who has secured an Olympic quota & teams to look out for ahead of Paris 2024
Olympics.com breaks down some of the top performers from this year's tournament, as well as the teams who have secured a quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Basketball
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup is in the books, and what a tournament it was.
History was made across the board, with Germany winning their first world championship, and a host of other nations making their World Cup debuts - not to mention securing qualification to the Olympic Games for the first time!
Olympics.com highlights some of the 'unexpected' stars of the tournament, recaps which teams have secured an Olympic quota spot, and takes a way-too-early look at the men's basketball competition for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Germany players, coaches and team officials pose for photos with the Naismith Trophy after the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final victory over Serbia at Mall of Asia Arena on September 10, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. Germany won 83-77.
Unexpected stars of FIBA World Cup 2023
Andreas Obst, Germany
Even the most optimistic of German fans would probably admit they didn't expect Die Mannschaft to become world champions in 2023, but it just goes to show what a fantastic run this team put together in Asia. The roster that went undefeated at the World Cup did have some recognisable NBA names, including the Wagner brothers of the Orlando Magic (Mo and Franz), Daniel Theis of the Indiana Pacers, and World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder of the Toronto Raptors. And while all of the aforementioned players were spectacular throughout the competition, they would not be able to call themselves world champions without the contributions of Andreas Obst.
Andreas Obst #42 of Germany.
The 27-year-old, who plays his club basketball for FC Bayern München in the Basketball Bundesliga and EuroLeague, averaged 10.4 points in 23 minutes of action during the World Cup. The 191 cm (6'3") shooting guard was scintillating from the field, too, converting on 48 percent of his field goals (including a ridiculous 44.7 percent from deep). His shining moment came in the semi-final clash with the USA, when he hit a clutch three with just over a minute to go to give Germany a four-point lead. Obst finished with a game-high 24 points as Germany advanced to the final with a 113-111 win.
Arturs Zagars, Latvia
Latvia were making their first ever appearance at the men's FIBA World Cup, and made the most of the experience, coming oh-so-close to securing a debut Olympic quota as well. Alas, their 81-79 quarter-final loss to Germany means they will have to go through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in order to progress to Paris 2024, but with Artūrs Žagars running the show from the point guard position (not to mention the likely return of Kristaps Porzingis from injury), Latvia stand a good chance of achieving a quota for the Games.
Žagars, 23, is currently a free agent, but his performances at the World Cup - where he led Latvia in assists (6.0) to go along with 13.6 points per game - have already reportedly drawn interest from Spanish Liga ACB side Baskonia. The 1.90m (6 ft 3) point guard was instrumental in Lativa's win over France in the first round (which knocked the reigning Olympic silver medallists out of the competition), scoring 22 points with 5 assists, and helped push Germany all the way in the quarter-finals, posting 24 points and 8 assists. He also broke the FIBA World Cup record with 17 assists in a single game, with zero turnovers!
Zagars received special plaudits for his performance against Die Mannschaft from Germany guard Dennis Schroder.
"I own a team in Germany (Braunschweig), and he played there one and a half years ago. He was a little bit hurt and couldn't play that much. But since then, he made a huge jump. Shout out to him, he played well tonight. He did his thing."
- Dennis Schroder, speaking to Eurohoops.net
Tremont Waters, Puerto Rico
Tremont Waters, at just 25, has already experienced the career of a basketball journeyman, playing for 10 teams in five different countries over the course of four years. His experience was on show during the World Cup, where he recorded 2.6 steals (joint-first), 9.2 assists (second), and 20 points (ninth) per game.
The 180cm (5'11") point guard, who currently suits up for the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), also averaged the third-most minutes of all players and was 12th in effiency rating at 105. He also had the joint second-highest scoring game at the World Cup, pouring in 37 points in a 102-97 win over the Dominican Republic in the second round. Puerto Rico placed 12th at the World Cup, their best finish since 2002 (when they came 7th).
Carlik Jones, South Sudan
Carlik Jones was one of the most productive players at the World Cup, finishing in the top 10 among all players for per game averages in points (20.4 - 9th), assists (10.4 - 1st), double-doubles (3 - T-2nd) and efficency (26.0 - T-3rd).
In fact, the 25-year-old guard was one of only two players to average a double-double throughout the World Cup (along with Joshua Hawkinson, Japan).
Jones and South Sudan were making their first appearance at the World Cup, and the Chicago Bull had a tournament to remember as he helped the Bright Stars secure a quota spot for Paris 2024 by finishing as the best African team after beating Angola in their final game (in which Jones had 26 points and 15 assists).
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jordan
Hollis-Jefferson spent six years in the NBA after being selected with the 23rd pick in the 2015 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, which means he was the most recognisable name on the Jordanian team at the World Cup. But even with that impressive CV, few could have expected the 198cm (6'6") small forward to explode the way he did at the tournament.
But explode he did, averaging the sixth-highest points per game (23.6) at the World Cup, including a 39-point outing against New Zealand in the first round (tied for first for highest-scoring game). Alas, Jordan failed to win any of their games, despite Hollis-Jefferson's best efforts.
Nikola Milutinov, Serbia
Seasoned fans of the Serbian national team and Greek powerhouse Olympiacos will be no stranger to Milutinov's performances over the years, but with NBA stars in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Jovic on the squad, it's understandable that the center didn't immediately capture all the headlines heading into the competition.
Nikola Milutinov #33 of Serbia drives to the basket against Johannes Voigtmann #7 of Germany.
However, the 213cm (7'0") big man was the driving force behind the Eagles' push to the gold medal game, leading the entire tournament in double-doubles with 4. He also had the ninth-highest per game rebound average (8.4) and only failed to score in double figures in two games.
Josh Hawkinson, Japan
Hawkinson, who was born in Seattle, Washington, became a naturalised Japanese citizen in February 2023, allowing him to compete for Akatsuki Japan at the World Cup.
That proved to be a smart decision for all parties, as Hawkinson was one of the breakout names of the tournament. The 208cm (6'10") center, who plays for Sun Rockers Shibuya of the Japanese B.League, was one of only two players to average a double-double, finishing second and seventh among all players in rebounds (10.8) and points (21.0) per game respectively.
Which teams have secured an Olympic quota for Paris 2024?
Seven spots for the men's basketball tournament at Paris 2024 were awarded during the World Cup, with the best teams from the respective regions qualifying based on the final classification. These are as follows:
Americas: USA, Canada
Europe: Germany, Serbia
Oceania: Australia
Africa: South Sudan
Asia: Japan
The remaining four teams will be determined during the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in the summer of 2024 (France have an automatic spot as Olympic hosts).
Basketball teams to watch ahead of Paris 2024
France
The most immediate and obvious team to follow as the Olympic Games approach is of course France. Not only will Les Bleus have the pressure of hosts to contend with, but fans of the national team will be expecting a drastically improved performance at the Games after a disappointing World Cup campaign, where France were eliminated early, winding up in 18th place — their lowest-ever finish at the competition.
Of course, France still have a ton of proven NBA talent to bring to the Games next year, which could also include phenom Victor Wembanyama and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who holds Cameroonian, French and American citizenship (though he is yet to say if he will compete at the Games in 2024, and for which team).
USA
The winningest team in Olympic history will be expected to add a 17th gold medal to their collection at Paris 2024, though questions are already being asked after the USA failed to make the World Cup final following a semi-final defeat to Germany.
Mikal Bridges #5, Tyrese Haliburton #4, Jalen Brunson #11, Anthony Edwards #10 and Austin Reaves #15 of the United States.
Given the deep pool of talent the USA can call upon, there seems to always be an expectation for the USA to win gold at whichever competition they enter. It will be interesting to see which players USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill will seek to recruit for Paris 2024.
Spain
La Roja are in unfamiliar territory after placing 9th at the World Cup - a surprising result given they won the entire competition in 2019. It now means Spain will have to go through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in order to grab one of the final four spots for Paris 2024, which is by no means a foregone conclusion.
Spain coach Sergio Scariolo with Juan Nunez.
However, with the experience and talent throughout the Spanish squad, it will be an almighty shock of La Roja fail to qualify for the Olympic Games.
Germany
While the aforementioned teams will have to deal with the pressure of responding to their disappointing World Cup campaigns, Germany will have to contend with the expectation that comes with being the reigning world champions at the Olympic Games.
Team Germany.
It would be harsh to suggest Die Mannschaft snuck up on a few teams at the World Cup, but after going unbeaten in Okinawa and Manilla there is zero chance anyone will take this Germany team for granted in Paris next year - especially if the core roster returns for a shot at a first Olympic medal.
Canada
The Road Warriors are coming off their best performance at a World Cup, securing the bronze medal thanks to a 127-118 win over their southern neighbours the USA.
The Canadian team celebrates after winning the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medal.
Their performance also means Canada will be making their first appearance in the men's basketball competition at the Olympic Games since Sydney 2000, when Hall of Famer Steve Nash led them to a 7th-place finish. With a roster replete with NBA stars, expect Canada to build on their World Cup podium finish at Paris 2024.