Wanda Rising Star Award watch: Vol II, news names emerging

MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - With the First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 already behind our backs, we check back in to see who currently has the best chance at winning the Wanda Rising Star Award.

Although some of our pre-tournament frontrunners remain very high on the list, four new names have appeared since we last did this exercise.

The criteria are that the players be 21 years old or younger (born in 2002 or after) and have a minimum of four games played.

The official shortlist will eventually be announced on September 4 before the Final phase of the World Cup.

With that in mind, here is the Top 10 who are in contention for the Rising Star award thanks to their solid play in the first three games.

#10 - Khaman Maluach - South Sudan - Center

Birth date: September 14, 2006 (16 years old)
Height: 216cm / 7'1"
Club: A.S. Douanes (SEN)‎

Maluach will be turning 17 right after the World Cup ends, so the glimpses of what he's shown are already scary good. Mind you, this is a youngster with no prior FIBA major event experience.

Sure, the numbers aren't exactly jumping off the page, however, Royal Ivey has entrusted him with important first half minutes against China and Serbia. Maluach certainly didn't look flummoxed when protecting his paint, and he's averaged 1.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 block per game.

#9 - Gui Santos - Brazil - Shooting Guard

Birth date: June 22, 2002 (21 years old)
Height: 197cm / 6'6"
Club: Santa Cruz Warriors (USA)‎

It's generally a good sign when a coaching staff trusts a young player in a pivotal moment of the World Cup. Gustavo de Conti did just that with Gui Santos against Cote d'Ivoire and the 21-year-old rewarded him with 5 points in a couple of minutes during an important run for Brazil.

Santos has provided his team with 6.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. When watching Brazil, you'll see him sprinting down the wing in transition, ready for a 3-pointer.

#8 Assemian Moulare - Cote d'Ivoire - Point Guard

Birth date: January 21, 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 187cm / 6'2"
Club: JA Vichy Clermont (FRA)‎

Assemian Moulare has learned much about seniority playing for Cote d'Ivoire in this World Cup, but he's also made the most of the opportunities that have been given to him.

The young guard has a beautiful, effortless stroke that he's not hesitant to use. Matter of fact, 6 of his 10 points against Brazil came from 3-pointers. However, also lying beneath those 7.5 points per game is a fearless drive and finish against Bruno Caboclo himself.

#7 Mohammad Amini - Iran - Forward

Birth date: April 26, 2005 (18 years old)
Height: 201cm / 6'7"
Club: AS Monaco (FRA)‎

Say what you want about the importance of that game, but Mohammad Amini faced the World Cup 2019 champions Spain and dropped 19 points on 12 field goal attempts. Attacking the paint against the likes of Usman Garuba seemed like no big deal to him.

Amini has provided Iran with more and more of 3-point shooting and creating in the pick-and-roll as the World Cup has gone on. We have a feeling that those averages of 12.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game might go up.

#6 Usman Garuba - Spain - Power Forward/Center

Birth date: March 9, 2002 (21 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"
Club: Oklahoma City Thunder (USA)‎

We've become so used to him playing for Spain that you almost don't believe the fact that he's still only 21 years old. Just as you don't believe your bad luck when you see Garuba at the scorers' table checking as a backup big for the opponents.

Garuba has had a very productive First Round with 8.7 points, 3.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Flinch and you'll miss him scanning the court for some smooth kick-out assists. He's also averaged 2.3 dimes per game.

#5 Paolo Banchero - USA - Forward

Birth date: November 12, 2002 (20 years old)
Height: 208cm / 6'10"
Club: Orlando Magic (USA)‎

Talking about unfair advantages off the bench… USA (and the Mall of Asia crowd) have appreciated what they have got out of their bench brigade. Paolo Banchero is a huge reason why.

The creative forward has benefited from getting out in the open court, as well as from powering through anyone who dares to stand in his way for a hefty 17 free throw attempts in 3 games. He's been USA's second leading scorer at 12.3 points per game, despite averaging 16.1 minutes per game.

#4 Jean Montero - Dominican Republic - Point Guard

Birth date: July 3, 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 190cm / 6'3"
Club: C.B. ISLAS CANARIAS (ESP)

Jean Montero has been getting a lot of burn for Nestor Garcia, who has trusted him in important moments. His 12 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in 36 minutes of playing time against Italy is a current standout of Montero's in this World Cup.

Though some of his usual looks haven't gone down, the point guard's ability to create has been vital for Dominican Republic's 3-0 start. Montero has averaged 7.3 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in those three victories.

#3 Juan Nunez - Spain - Point Guard

Birth date: June 4, 2004 (19 years old)
Height: 191cm / 6'3"
Club: Ratiopharm Ulm (GER)

How do you replace the World Cup 2019 MVP Ricky Rubio? Just put the heir apparent Juan Nunez in the starting lineup! He responded instantly by becoming the second player in the World Cup since 1994 to have 8 assists and 0 turnovers in his debut.

Give him any open window and he'll surely throw a bounce pass that has some smooth oomph to it. So far Nunez has looked the part in Scariolo's offensive system with averages of 7.0 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.

#2 Nikola Jovic - Serbia - Forward

Birth date: June 9, 2003 (20 years old)
Height: 208cm / 6'10"
Club: Miami Heat (USA)

Another youngster to start in all three games, Nikola Jovic must be determined not to let any of his older teammates down. Passing it to him has been an automatic assist.

Jovic has made the most of spotting up in the corners, whether playing five-on-five or in transition. His superb shooting and drives to the basket peaked at a 9-of-9 performance from the field against South Sudan. Where do we even go from here? The numbers of 17.0 points and 3.0 assists per game are nothing to sneeze at either.

He was so solid he was chosen by our Editorial team as Group B unofficial MVP.

#1 Josh Giddey - Australia - Guard

Birth date: October 10, 2002 (20 years old)
Height: 203cm / 6'8"
Club: Oklahoma City Thunder (USA)‎

He's had great performances in two victories. He's basically been running the show for the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists. He's been creating for others and scoring himself. Heck, he's also working on the glass. There's a reason why we've called it the Josh Giddey Triple-Double watch!

Due to the facts mentioned above, Giddey might be tested the most once the Second Round starts. However, so far he's done what has been asked of him with 19.0 points, 7.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game.

*The Wanda Rising Star watch list rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate FIBA ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author for the entertainment of the fans.