Ten players to watch during 2025 AmeriCup Qualifiers Window 1

MIAMI (United States) – A total of 16 games await at the start of the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers, to be played on February 22-26. The national teams are already getting ready for the action and most of them have announced their rosters for the occasion.

Several stars have been called up and we can’t wait to see them again on the floor representing their countries. These are the 10 most exciting players to watch in this first window:

Iverson Molinar - PAN 

 

Guard
DOB: 12-03-1999

The point guard could make his second appearance with Panama’s national team after participating in the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup when he was a teenager. Since then, he’s played 3 seasons in NCAA Division I, an NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks and currently shines in the G League with Capitanes de México, where he averages 13.8 points per game. Panama needs new blood to join their veterans and they hope that Molinar becomes their next great player.

Kyle Wiltjer - CAN 

Power foward
DOB: 10-20-1992

One of the biggest reasons behind Canada qualifying to the 2023 FIBA World Cup was Wiltjer, even though few remember it now. The veteran forward led the offense for the North Americans during the first Qualifiers window. In 4 games, he averaged 21.8 points and was unstoppable both on the perimeter and the boards. He’s currently playing for Venezia in Italy’s Serie A and although his numbers aren’t stellar (12.3 points and 3.6 rebounds), he’s shown he can step it up when he wears the Canadian red jersey.

Michael Carrera - VEN 

Foward
DOB: 01-07-1993

He’s playing the best basketball of his life and is called to lead the Venezuelan squad. Given his fiery demeanor, it’s yet to be seen whether he can handle those leadership duties. He got injured during the World Cup and only played 2 games, which hurt Venezuela’s chances in the tournament but showed his importance. In Spain’s second division, with Estudiantes, he’s averaging 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Jaime Echenique - COL 

Center
DOB: 04-27-1997

After making his dream come true and becoming the first Colombian to play in the NBA, he’s now looking to establish himself professionally. He’s currently in his second stint in Europe, this time with Promitheas (Greece), where he’s averaging 13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in the domestic league, and 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in Basketball Champions League. His presence in the paint gives Colombia a whole new level of dominance on both ends of the floor.

Kai Jones - BAH 

Center
DOB: 01-19-2001

He’s coming off a long layoff after his tumultuous exit from the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. These Qualifiers are the perfect occasion for him to show his worth and fight for a roster spot in this summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where Bahamas will be playing for the first time. Jones is known for his nuclear athleticism, which allows him to be a threat near the rim. In these 2 games against Puerto Rico in Group D, we could see how much the long period of inactivity affected him.

Jordan Bell - USA 

Center
DOB: 01-07-1995

The NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors (2018) is back on the national team after his stint during the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Back then, he was a key player on defense, averaging 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks across 4 games. The 29-year-old is still playing great defense in the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants, where he’s currently averaging 11.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

 

 

 

Andrés Feliz - DOM 

Guard
DOB: 07-15-1997

Feliz became an indispensable member of the Dominican squad after an explosive showing at the World Cup, where he averaged 16.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The point guard had already been playing well for the national team, but the 2023 event got him to another level individually. His numbers have also been on the rise in Spain’s ACB with Joventut Badalona, where’s he’s also averaging almost 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game (14.3 PTS, 4.4 REB y 4.7 AST).

Davon Reed - PUR 

 

Foward
DOB: 06-11-1995

The Puerto Rican national team will feature Reed for the first time, a player who suited up for 42 regular season NBA games last season with the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a proven scorer who’s reinforcing a talented squad but will have to adapt in a short amount of time. He started this season in the Balkan League with Prometey, but only played 2 domestic games and 4 in EuroCup. In December, he joined the Memphis Hustle of the G League, where he’s averaging 10.5 points per game and shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc.

Yago Santos - BRA 

Guard
DOB: 03-09-199

Through his appearances for Flamengo in Brazil’s NBB and BCL Americas, Yago had already shown us his ability to run the show. Now that he made the jump to Europe, the speedy guard is playing even better. Last year he was key in leading Ratiopharm to winning the German Bundesliga and in 2023-24 he made his Euroleague debut with Red Star Belgrade, where he’s averaging 8.5 points (42 percent on three-pointers) and 3.8 assists. He’ll now bring that wealth of experience to the national team.

Facundo Campazzo - ARG 

Guard
DOB: 03-23-1991

Any time it’s announced that Campazzo is being called up to a FIBA event, he’s going to be picked among the players to watch. The Argentinian is one of the most spectacular players in the world due to his mix of intelligence and creativity. During this window, he’ll reprise his connection with Real Madrid teammate Gabriel Deck, who’s also joining the team. Facu is currently among the top players in Euroleague, where Real Madrid is the leader and he’s averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 assists.

FIBA