“Global Dominance at Stake: Unleashing the Powerhouse of USA in the FIBA World Cup”

The United States Looks to Rebound in the FIBA World Cup

The Basketball World Cup, FIBA’s most significant tournament, is set to begin, with teams from around the world vying for the coveted gold medals and the Naismith Trophy. Spain, the defending champion, emerged victorious in the last tournament held in China four years ago. Meanwhile, the United States, historically dominant in international basketball, had its worst finish ever, landing in seventh place. The Americans enter this year’s competition as the tournament favorites, led by Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who has showcased his exceptional skills through a series of exhibition games.

American Aspirations for Redemption

The American team comprises notable players such as Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Ingram, Austin Reaves, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton. The players have a collective sense of determination, motivated by the fact that many perceive this tournament as an opportune moment to best the United States. As Tyrese Haliburton aptly stated, “Everybody here has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder because I think we all know that the world is looking at us like ‘This is the time that we’re going to beat the United States.’ And that bothers the (heck) out of everybody.”

Format and Schedule

The 32 teams are divided into eight different groups comprising four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round, with the top eight teams from the second round proceeding to the quarterfinals. The opening games for all 32 teams will take place over the course of two days, starting Friday, August 25, and continuing on Saturday, August 26. The details of the opening games can be found below:

Friday, August 25

• Group A (at Manila): Angola vs. Italy, Dominican Republic vs. Philippines
• Group D (at Manila): Mexico vs. Montenegro, Egypt vs. Lithuania
• Group E (at Okinawa): Finland vs. Australia, Germany vs. Japan
• Group H (at Jakarta): Latvia vs. Lebanon, Canada vs. France

Saturday, August 26

• Group B (at Manila): South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico, Serbia vs. China
• Group C (at Manila): Jordan vs. Greece, United States vs. New Zealand
• Group F (at Okinawa): Cape Verde vs. Georgia, Slovenia vs. Venezuela
• Group G (at Jakarta): Iran vs. Brazil, Spain vs. Ivory Coast

How to Watch the FIBA World Cup

For viewers in the United States, ESPN2 will broadcast the first three U.S. games, scheduled for August 26, 28, and 30. The games on August 26 and 28 will commence at 8:40 a.m. EDT, while the game on August 30 will start at 4:40 a.m. EDT. Streaming options are available for other games. It is recommended to check local listings for specific broadcast details.

Notable NBA Players in the Tournament

The FIBA World Cup will feature several notable NBA players, including Luka Doncic of Slovenia (Dallas Mavericks) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada (Oklahoma City Thunder), who were both selected to the All-NBA Team. Lauri Markkanen of Finland (Utah Jazz) is another All-Star player participating in the tournament. The United States will field a strong contingent of NBA talent as well.

Betting Odds for the FIBA World Cup

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the United States is the overwhelming favorite to win the World Cup, with odds listed at minus-130. This means that a $130 wager on the Americans would yield a $230 return if they emerge victorious. France and Canada are tied as the second choice, both at plus-950. For those seeking value, Slovenia, led by Luka Doncic, starts at plus-2,100.

FIBA World Cup 2023 Schedule

The tournament will span several weeks, with the schedule outlined as follows:

• August 25 to August 30: First Round
• August 31 to September 3: Second Round and classification for 17th through 32nd place
• September 4: No games
• September 5 to September 6: Quarterfinals
• September 7: Playoffs for 5th through 8th place
• September 8: Semifinals
• September 9: Playoffs for 5th through 8th place
• September 10: Gold medal game, bronze medal game

Follow @AZSports for ongoing coverage and updates on the FIBA World Cup.