By the Numbers: FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 Division B

BANGKOK (Thailand) - The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 Division B is less than a month away as the stage is being set for the 8 teams competing for promotion.

The Women’s Asia Cup has competed in two divisions (or levels, as it was called until the change in 2017) since 1994. Throughout these years, the top teams of Division B fight for promotion to Division A, while the teams in Division A have to avoid relegation as well.

Before we head into Division B of the competition, held in Bangkok, Thailand from 13-19 August this year, let’s take a look at some key numbers to know about.

8

Teams playing in Women’s Asia Cup 2023 Division B

There will be 8 teams competing in Division B of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023. These teams are Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and hosts Thailand.

 

These 8 teams have been placed into two groups with Group A including Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Mongolia, while Kazakhstan are grouped with Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

4

Decades in which Women’s Asia Cup has been played in Thailand

Thailand have hosted the Women’s Asia Cup in three occasions prior to this year in 2013, 2001, and 1997. With them hosting Division B this year, Thailand will now have hosted a Women’s Asia Cup in each of the past 4 decades.

In 2013, Thailand played in Division B and were able to gain promotion to Division A for the 2015 edition of the competition which they celebrated on their home court.

3

Teams in this year’s edition that have played in Division A

Of the 8 competing teams, it is Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Thailand that have been able to play in Division A (or previously known as Level 1) since the adoption of the format in 1994.

Malaysia last played in Division A in 2007. Kazakhstan has played in Division A twice and as recent as 2013. Thailand have played in Division A 8 times in the last two decades with their last appearance being in 2015 in which they were relegated.

1

Team making their Women’s Asia Cup debut

In Bangkok, Mongolia will be welcomed to their first-ever appearance in the competition. Even though they might be newcomers, opponents should not make the mistake of underestimating their game.

Mongolia basketball is quickly on the rise and should not be overlooked.

 

141

Most points scored in a Women’s Asia Cup Division B game by a team

Back in 2001, Kazakhstan punished the Sri Lanka defense for a total of 141 points, which stands as the most amount of points scored by a team in a Division B game.

Kazakhstan are always expected to be one of the fiercest competitors to gain promotion and that will be their number one priority in Bangkok. Will that be enough to fuel them into breaking their own record this year?

47

Most points scored in a Women’s Asia Cup Division B game by a player

Geethu Anna Jose is one of the best ever to play for India and this outstanding achievement is one (of many) that confirms the fact. In Division B play (since 1994), there have only been two 40-point games recorded by a player (props to Kyong Yon Kim who scored 43 against Kazakhstan in 2005) and Jose’s 47 points against Malaysia in 2007 stands at the top.

Her 47 points were just a part of her total dominant run through the competition that year as she ended up scoring 197 points in total to average 32.8 points per game.

FIBA