NBA
FIBA World Cup 2023: Team USA’s Roster and the NBA’s Growing Global Representation
![Mikal Bridges and Tyrese Haliburton of Team USA talk on the court before a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game](https://www.sportscasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mikal-Bridges-Tyrese-Haliburton-Team-USA-2023-FIBA-World-Cup.jpg)
Many of the NBA’s approximately 500 players aren’t from the United States, given the sport’s growing popularity. Canada, in particular, has a strong pool of basketball talent, and it’s the same story for several European countries.
Beginning on August 25, the 2023 FIBA World Cup will showcase the world’s talent involved in the NBA and other leagues. Here’s a look at all of the NBA players participating and which countries they represent.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup: how it works
The FIBA World Cup happens every four years. Three countries will host this year’s World Cup: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Thirty-two teams representing their respective countries will participate. The games start on August 25 and conclude on September 10.
Like other World Cups, the 32 teams are split into eight groups of four. The top two teams in each group will move on to the second stage. They’ll be divided into four groups of four based on how they performed in the earlier stages. The top two teams in each group will then go to the finals, where there’s a single-elimination tournament to determine the winners.
Team USA is in Group C — the same group as Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand. Generally, Team USA dominates international competitions, especially since the Dream Team formed. As far as the FIBA World Cup goes, Team USA has won gold five times. The most recent win happened in 2014. The last World Cup, in 2019, was disappointing for Team USA as they finished seventh.
Team USA is stacked with basketball talent
Perhaps reminiscent of the Redeem Team, talented athletes stack this year’s Team USA roster, according to NBA.com. A lot of great NBA players are on the squad, with many young faces too.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and he’ll have a big role on the squad. Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ first overall pick, is another great player who’s bound for success. Bobby Portis is the only champ on the squad, and he’ll likely be good, too.
The Nets’ Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, and the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram will provide some high-level talent. Some of the younger players on the team include Paolo Banchero of the Magic, Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers, Walker Kessler of the Jazz, and Austin Reaves of the Lakers.
The World Cup will be played with FIBA rules, which are different from NBA rules. As such, it’s hard to say how this squad of great NBA players will perform. But guys like Edwards, Jackson Jr., and Brunson are expected to help redeem Team USA from the 2019 World Cup.
These international teams are also led by some talented NBA players
With the NBA’s international presence, many great players lead their countries too. The best example may be Slovenia’s Luka Doncic. Slovenia is not expected to go far, but Doncic is already one of the best players in the NBA. He’ll likely do his best to carry his team as far as possible. Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is on Greece’s roster, but unfortunately, he won’t play due to injury.
Canada and Germany are two non-American teams to look out for. Canada has a long list of great NBA players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and Dillon Brooks. Germany has fewer big NBA names, but some great players like Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner.