MIAMI (United States) – We’re now less than a year away from the 20th edition of the FIBA AmeriCup, to be played August 22-31 of 2025 at Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua. There is still time left, but we, like many of you, are already counting down because we want to relive the emotions of the greatest event for national teams on the American continent. While we wait, the best we can do is remember some of the best moments that shocked and thrilled us, along with the historic performances of our favorite players. Given that and since we’re heading into the 20th edition of the tournament, we’ll bring you the best 20 players in the history of AmeriCup – mainly taking into account their production in this competition. This was a hard list to craft without leaving out wonderful players, and it’s possible we won’t all be in agreement, but here we go:
20. José Juan Barea - PUR
The star guard is a Latin American basketball icon, not only for his 14 seasons in the NBA and the 2011 title with the Dallas Mavericks, but also for his many accomplishments with Puerto Rico. At AmeriCup, J.J. won bronze in 2007 and silver in 2013. He also took part in two FIBA World Cups, in 2010 and 2014. In that last one, he led the tournament at 22 points per game.
19. Gustavo Ayón - MEX
The “Titan” is, without a doubt, one of the most important players in the history of his country. In 2013, he engraved his name in the history books by carrying Mexico to the AmeriCup title, winning the Most Valuable Player award. In 2017, he won a second medal (bronze) at AmeriCup. Ayon also played 3 seasons in the NBA and shined for Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.
18. Carlos Arroyo - PUR
He is considered one of the most skilled point guards of his generation. He will always be remembered for the 24 points he scored against United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, but he also had a career full of accomplishments. He played in nine NBA seasons and was a national team mainstay from 2002 to 2016. During that time, he participated in four FIBA World Cups, while also winning two AmeriCup silver medals (2009 and 2013) and a pair of bronzes (2003 and 2007).
17. Steve Nash - CAN
When one talks about Nash, the first thing that comes to mind is his NBA career and rightfully so, being considered one of the best lead guards in history. He won two consecutive MVP awards (2005 and 2006) with the Phoenix Suns and is already a Hall of Famer. But he also left his mark with the Canadian national team. At the 1994 FIBA World Cup, he guided his country to a Top 7 finish. He then led the 2000 Sydney Olympics in assists (6.9). At AmeriCup, he won silver (1999), bronze (2001) and a pair of MVP awards (1999 and 2003).
16. Kobe Bryant - USA
The Los Angeles Lakers legend was one of the most iconic players of his generation. Besides his many well-known NBA accomplishments, he put on a fabulous performance at the 2007 AmeriCup, where United States took the crown. He averaged 15.3 points in just 19.9 minutes per game, and that tournament was the starting point for the squad that won consecutive golds in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
15. LeBron James - USA
Just like Bryant, small forward LeBron James was a big part of the NBA-laden squad that won gold for the U.S. at the 2007 AmeriCup in Las Vegas. A young James had been part of the American disappointment at the 2004 Sydney Olympics, so he came back to the outfit as part of the “Redeem Team” that started taking shape in 2007. He averaged 18.1 points as a key part of a team that also featured Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Tayshaun Prince, Mike Miller and Michael Redd. In 2024 at 39 years of age, James took home his third Olympic gold in Paris after winning in 2008 and 2012.
14. Michael Jordan - USA
When talking about the best players in AmeriCup history, the U.S. squads in 2007 and 1992 deserve a separate chapter due to the constellation of star on those rosters. We all know the significance of the 1992 team, who changed the game forever. But the first time that “Dream Team” assembled was at the AmeriCup in Portland. Jordan, at the peak of his powers, was the main star and shined on a team that also featured Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin and a young Christian Laettner. Goes without saying that the U.S. romped through the tournament and won gold.
13. Gabriel Deck - ARG
The reigning MVP of the competition led Argentina to the title in 2022. The Real Madrid forward, who also had a stint in the NBA, has been very successful at the continental tournament. In three editions, he always won a medal. In 2015 and 2017, he had to settle for bronze before winning gold in 2022. At 29 years of age, he has plenty left on the tank and a lot to achieve at AmeriCup and other events. He also reached the FIBA World Cup final in 2019 and played at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
12. Facundo Campazzo - ARG
He’s currently considered one of the best point guards in Europe. A big part of his development has been thanks to the Argentina national team, where he’s had a big role since he was 19 years old. He already played in three Olympics (2012, 2016 and 2020) and a pair of World Cups (2014 and 2019), while also featuring regularly at AmeriCup. After twice winning silver (2015 and 2017) and once bronze (2013), in 2022 he was finally able to take home the gold medal.
11. José Ortiz – PUR
“Piculín” is one of the most dominant big men in the history of AmeriCup. From the end of the 80s to the early 2000s, the Puerto Rican giant gave it all for his national team. He won the title in 1995 and notched three silver medals (1988, 1993 and 1997) and one bronze (2003). He’s a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and recently was selected by a panel of specialists as the best player in the history of Puerto Rico. His resume includes a stint in the NBA, many years in the best European Leagues, and his participation in four World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002) and four Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996 and 2004).
10. Leandro Barbosa - BRA
While he established himself in the NBA, “Leandrinho” was also shining with the Brazilian national team. He was the star of his country’s last two AmeriCup titles (2005 and 2009), averaging more than 21 points in each of those tournaments. His resume includes five World Cup appearances (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2019) and two Olympics (2012 and 2016). He played 14 seasons in the NBA, where he was named Sixth Man of the Year (2007) and won a title (2015) with the Golden State Warriors.
9. Anderson Varejao - BRA
Starting in the early 2000s, Brazil had a loaded squad of players who shined for the national team while also leaving their mark in the NBA. Among them was Anderson Varejao, who was crucial like Barbosa in the AmeriCup titles in 2005 and 2009. The big man played 14 years in the NBA and almost 20 years for his national team (2001-2020). In that span, he played in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2019) and the 2012 Olympics.
8. Tiago Splitter - BRA
Splitter is another key part of that hugely successful Brazilian generation, performing at a high level in Europe, the NBA and his national team. He won an NBA ring with the San Antonio Spurs (2014) and earned gold with Brazil at the AmeriCups in 2005 and 2009, plus silver in 2011. He also competed at the World Cup in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, and at the 2012 Olympic Games.
7. Marcelo Huertas - BRA
He’s the last remaining star from the early 2000s generation of Brazilian stars, and at 41 years old he’s still playing at the highest level. He just retired from the national team at the Paris 2004 Olympics, where he started and averaged 8.8 points and 5.0 assists. Those were his third Olympics (after 2012 and 2016). He also played in five World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2019 and 2023). At AmeriCup, besides the gold medals in 2005 and 2009 he won alongside Barbosa, Varejao and Splitter, he earned a pair of silver medals (2011 and 2022).
6. Andrés Nocioni - ARG
“Chapu” is a key piece Argentina’s “Golden Generation” along with Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola. The forward had a stellar NBA career, especially with the Chicago Bulls (2004-2009) and in Europe, first with Tau Ceramica and then with Real Madrid later in his career, where he was a European and Intercontinental champion. At AmeriCup, Nocioni won the titles in 2001 and 2011 with Argentina, on top of a pair of silver medals (2003, 2015) and a bronze (1999). His contributions were crucial for Argentina at the 2002 World Cup (where they finished second), the 2004 Athens Olympics (where they took gold) and the 2008 Beijing Games (bronze).
5. Tim Duncan - USA
One of the best big men in the history of the sport, Duncan was one of the stars of the title-winning U.S. teams at the FIBA AmeriCups in 1999 and 2003. During his early years with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, he was already seen as a superstar after winning the Rookie of the Year award (1998), a pair of rings (1999 and 2003) and league MVPs (2002 and 2003). At the 1999 edition, he averaged 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. In 2003, he produced 15.6 points and 8.0 boards. He finished his illustrious career with five NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014), three Finals MVPs (1999, 2003, 2005), 15 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA selections and another 15 All-Defense berths.
4. Jason Kidd - USA
He’s the player with the most gold medals in the history of AmeriCup with three (1999, 2003 and 2007). He was known for his mental speed and mastery of the game, which allowed him to always be a step ahead of defenses. That allowed him to helm the Olympic gold medal winning teams in 2000 and 2008. He was an NBA champion in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks, where he is currently their head coach.
3. Emanuel Ginóbili - ARG
The Argentinian shooting guard is his country’s best player and leader of the “Golden Generation.” He practically won it all at the highest levels and is already in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He boats an Olympic gold medal (Athens 2004) and four NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014), but also a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a second-place finish at the 2002 World Cup, a Sixth Man of the Year Award (2007-2008) and a Euroleague title and MVP trophy (2001) with Bologna in Italy. He also forged his path with a couple of AmeriCup crowns (2001 and 2011), plus a silver medal (2003) and a bronze (1999). He won MVP in 2001 and finished in the All Star 5 in 2011.
2. Oscar Schmidt - BRA
During the early years of AmeriCup, he gave Brazil plenty to celebrate by leading them to consecutive titles, first in 1984 at home and then in 1988 in Uruguay. He then won bronze in the 1989 and 1992 editions. He owns the highest scoring average at an AmeriCup with 32.8 in 1989, both those are only some of the accomplishments of one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. He’s the sport’s all-time leading scorer with 49,737 points across his professional club and national team career. He’s also the all-time leading scorer at World Cups and Olympic Games. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he scored 7,693 points in 326 games with the Brazilian national team for an impressive 23.6 average per game.
1. Luis Scola - ARG
In the history of AmeriCup, there hasn’t been a more influential player than the Argentinian power forward. “Luifa” is the record-holder for the most appearances (1999, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017) and won medals at all of them. He won gold twice (2001, 2011), silver four times (2003, 2007, 2015 and 2017) and bronze three times (1999, 2009, 2013). He also has the most MVP awards with four (2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015). At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, he put an end to a dream international career that included five Olympics and five World Cups. As a key member of Argentina’s “Golden Generation”, he was part of the teams that finished second at the 2002 World Cup, won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics and bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008. He also led the squad that reached the final at the 2019 World Cup in China. Overall, he played 173 games with his national team and scored 2,857 points. He also had a great stint in the NBA, where he played 10 seasons and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team (2008). These are other great players who took part in the AmeriCup and shined: Carlos Raffaelli, Miguel Cortijo, Marcelo Milanesio, Juan Espil, Héctor Campana, Pablo Prigioni, Carlos Delfino (ARG); Marquinhos Abdalla Leite, Marcel de Souza, Marcelinho Machado, Guilherme Giovannoni, Nené Hilario (BRA); Jay Triano, Leo Rautins (CAN); Ruperto Herrera, Lázaro Borrell (CUB); José Vargas, Franklin Western, Luis Felipe López, Francisco García, Jack Michel Martínez, Al Horford, Karl Anthony Towns (DOM); Arturo Guerrero, Rafael Palomar, Eduardo Nájera (MEX); Mario Butler, Rolando Frazier, Rubén Garcés, Michael Hicks (PAN); Raymond Dalmau, Georgie Torres, Mario Morales, Fico López, Ramón Rivas, Jerome Mincy, Eddie Casiano, (PUR); Hebert Núñez, Carlos Peinado, Horacio López, Marcelo Capalbo, Wilfredo Ruiz, Nicolás Mazzarino, Esteban Batista, Leandro García Morales (URU); Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett (USA); Gabriel Estaba, Carl Herrera, Víctor David Díaz, Oscar Torres, Greivis Vásquez (Venezuela). FIBA