FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings: Volume 2

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Now that we have two games of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers as a sample size, we can re-evaluate where we see each of the participating teams stacked against one another.

Here we go with Volume 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings.

The teams were ranked taking into consideration forms from the recent window, the competition system, and opponent strength.

 

 

As expected, there is a lot of movement throughout the Power Rankings. Whether it's teams who outperformed their expectations or teams that slightly disappointed in this first window, that will be reflected in this update.

If you feel your team is overlooked or underestimated, don't forget to leave a comment across our social media platforms to show your support… and check again for the update in the next volume!

And here. We. Go.

#1 Australia 

Previous Ranking: 1
Movement: -

The Boomers had their fans worried for a second as they trailed Korea heading into the fourth quarter of their opening game in Bendigo. Of course, as we know now, there was nothing to be worried at all as they completed a two-game sweep through Window 1.

Nick Kay continues to be fantastic for Australia, while Josh Bannan has emerged as another key player to watch moving forward. The 23-year-old nearly averaged a double-double of 14 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest.

They now have the psychological edge against any team they face moving forward that no fourth-quarter lead is safe - even if you are Korea.

#2 Japan 

Previous Ranking: 2
Movement: -

Japan had the advantage of playing at home for both games in this window and they made sure to make good use of that edge. They had to sweat out a tight first half against Guam and, of course, the clash against China went down to the wire - but the fact is that they came away with two wins against two quality teams.

Yudai Baba continues to come into his own as a first option for Japan, which can only be a positive for coach Tom Hovasse.

#3 Philippines 

Previous Ranking: 4
Movement: +1

What a way to start the Asia Cup Qualifiers. What a way to start the Tim Cone Era in FIBA competitions. With an average margin of victory at 41.5 points per contest, the Philippines not only passed both the eye test and numbers test with flying colors.

Gilas fans should be elated that the team is arguably the best offensive team so far in the Qualifiers with six players averaging at least 9 points per game. The statistic that best represents why the fans are so excited about this team? An average of 31.5 assists per game with both games recording over 30 in each contest.

#4 Lebanon 

Previous Ranking: 3
Movement: -1

Lebanon got their two wins this window and cruised through it for most of the part, so it's not entirely their fault they are dropped down a spot in the Power Ranking.

Still, allowing a 25-point lead whittled down to only 9 points in the fourth quarter against Syria did not help their case too much - even if it was in a tough environment as the Al Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus.

#5 New Zealand 

Previous Ranking: 8
Movement: +3

Hey, where's the apology form for putting New Zealand too low in Volume 1 of the Smart Power Ranking?

Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei are probably not the best barometers to showcase what the Tall Blacks are fully capable of, but New Zealand took care of them nonetheless in two 20-point wins. New Zealand, once again but up a team effort and didn't require a player to take over in particular, which is why they are so dangerous as a group.

It took until the last quarter for New Zealand to break away from Chinese Taipei, however, which might be something to keep an eye on heading into the next windows.

#6 Korea 

Previous Ranking: 5
Movement: -1

If only Korea could have held on during those final minutes against Australia… if only. They would have easily catapulted to the top based off their dominating win against a Thailand team high in confidence.

There is some worry moving forward, too, as Ra GunA who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds this window, personally announced his retirement. There are bright young talents that are primed to step up though, so Korea should be fine.

#7 Jordan 

Previous Ranking: 9
Movement: +2

Two convincing wins against two solid opponents should mean a higher leap for Jordan, but we're reserving that movement for later.

In any case, this feels like a very good team flying under the radar with Freddy Ibrahim, Ahmad Dwairi, and Amin Abu Hawwas playing the way they are playing. Rondae Hollis Jefferson seemed a bit off during this window, but imagine the core of Jordan along with a RHJ back on track.

#8 China 

Previous Ranking: 7
Movement: -1

We're giving some credit to China for handling Mongolia while also acknowledging that a loss to Japan in Tokyo isn't a bad one - no matter how long it's been. Still, you can't deny that there's some concern about the direction of the path that China are on.

This was a young group playing in the window for Team China with several key pieces missing, so we can cut them some slack, but China will need to bounce back with a bang at some point soon. Ideally, that would be when they play their home game against Japan to get revenge next year.

#9 Iran 

Previous Ranking: 6
Movement: -3

Before you let that rage take over for seeing a team that went undefeated through the window drop 3 spots, hear us out. Iran barely escaped against Qatar at home and took their time getting India out of the way.

This might seem harsh, but consider it a way of saying how highly we regard Iran basketball in general. There's just too much talent for Iran to give their fans a scare as they did against Qatar. Next up are the also undefeated Kazakhstan, who Iran lost to twice in the previous Qualifiers. This should be interesting.

#10 Syria 

Previous Ranking: 12
Movement: +2

Welcome to the Top 10, Syria. You've won us over with the passion of your fans and the intensity of how you play. Javion Blake and Bilal Atli won us over with their impressive debuts.

There's still work left to be done, especially against Bahrain in the opening game of the next window, but it's looking good for Syria right now.

#11 Kazakhstan 

Previous Ranking: 15
Movement: +4

We honestly still don't know what to expect from Kazakhstan. They came out of the window with two wins which is great, but they also shot 37.4 percent from the field. They play a deep rotation and play physically, but they also don't have a go-to star either.

Once they settle the score in the first game against Iran next window in November, we should get a better-adjusted perspective of where the Steppen Wolves stand.

#12 Saudi Arabia 

Previous Ranking: 14
Movement: +2

Saudi Arabia broke down in the third quarter against Jordan, but it was a feel-good window for them other than that. There's just so much athleticism throughout the entire lineup, which always seems to be an advantage for this team.

The key issue is harnessing that energy and staying in control, which is what was missing with the absence of Khalid Abdel Gabar in the national team for the first time since 2019. Once he comes back to join star big man Mohamed Alsuwailem, Saudi Arabia will be even better.

#13 Guam 

Previous Ranking: 10
Movement: -3

The expectations were set high for Guam in the previous volume of the Smart Power Rankings because of their potential to pull off an upset in a Japan home game. And they almost came through. Shooting below 30 percent isn't going to cut it though (and neither is getting a 3-20 shooting performance from your star scorer).

The good news for Guam is that they didn't let that rattle them going into a must-win game in Mongolia where they tormented the home team yet again.

It's going to get a whole lot tougher for Guam, however, with a window going up against China and Japan in November. Possibly the toughest Window 2 slate among all teams.

#14 Bahrain 

Previous Ranking: 13
Movement: -1

The general expectation was that Bahrain would beat UAE, would have a tough time in Lebanon, and the Mosti would be awesome. They were on par with those expectations for most of the part, but probably had more trouble with UAE than they should have.

This feels about right for Bahrain.

#15 Thailand 

Previous Ranking: 20
Movement: +5

Getting beat by 34 points to Korea generally doesn't scream "five spot boost in the Smart Power Ranking" material, but the context is important here.

There was a lot of concern for Thailand going into this window without their expected stars, especially going up against Indonesia. They more than handled their rivals at home which could be the pivotal game that determines an important spot in the standings - also their first ever win in the Qualifiers. It might have been better if Thailand were able to play a closer game against Korea as they had in the previous Qualifiers, but the big picture is that this was a win of a window for the Southeast Asian team.

#16 Iraq 

Previous Ranking: 17
Movement: +1

Iraq were also able to get their first win ever in the Qualifiers after going winless in the previous cycle. Considering the way things are shaping out in Group D, they might have wanted to win by a bigger margin.

Site note: Demario Mayfield did not miss a single second of action in this window, being only one of two players across the Continental Cup Qualifiers to do so (hello, Iffer Lundberg). Should that concern Iraq for how much they rely on him? At this point, does that even matter?

#17 Chinese Taipei 

Previous Ranking: 13
Movement: -4

We're going to get the facts out of the way first. Playing two World Cup-level teams in New Zealand and the Philippines in the first window made Chinese Taipei's schedule one of the toughest. They were also without a lot of key players that were listed in the preliminary roster that would have certainly given the team a boost.

And they also competed against the Tall Blacks to a relatively close game!

So we'll cut them some slack. Some.

They were still overpowered for most of the part through this window, though.

#18 India 

Previous Ranking: 16
Movement: -2

What can we say? Coach Veselin Matic wanted reps for his young guns and they're getting it. They aren't winning, but they are getting the experience they need to develop and grow. Now they just need to show that they can indeed grow into that potential.

#19 Palestine 

Previous Ranking: 19
Movement: -

Palestine must have felt like they let a winnable game get away against Iraq, which is exactly what happened. But they have to move on. With Jamal Mayali, Calvin Godfrey, and Elias Sawalha, they have a nice group to build on from here.

Window 2 will be tough, but that game in Iraq to start Window 3 will be the game that they need to win.

#20 Qatar 

Previous Ranking: 21
Movement: +1

There's no column for moral victories, so Qatar are sadly 0-2 after Window 1. They were so close to getting a win, though, and could have realistically even gone undefeated.

But they didn't.

Qatar are a young team though, and getting these tight game situations to work through should benefit them in the future.

#21 Mongolia 

Previous Ranking: 22
Movement: +1

It would have been a relatively perfect window for Mongolia if they could only have gotten revenge against Guam at home, but Earnest Ross happened.

Mongolia were punished for their lack of size, going up against two very physically imposing teams. Matching up against Japan in the next window will be an interesting one, even if they will be underdogs yet again.

#22 Indonesia 

Previous Ranking: 18
Movement: -4

Indonesia should have the momentum of playing in the FIBA OPQT late last year and having co-hosted the World Cup, but they came into this window with a young squad that featured many FIBA debutants and played like it - which is completely fine.

Unfortunately, this meant taking in a big loss to Thailand. Indonesia will be under a lot of pressure next window when they host Thailand which already feels like a game they need to win and win big.

#23 UAE 

Previous Ranking: 24
Movement: +1

We're giving UAE some credit for putting pressure on Bahrain. They have not played against Lebanon though, so the road only goes uphill from here.

#24 Hong Kong, China 

Previous Ranking: 23
Movement: -1

Hong Kong, China played a rough schedule just like Chinese Taipei as they went up against both New Zealand and the Philippines in this window. Both of their opponents weren't about to give them any chance of being in either of their games.

Now, the focus turns to taking down Chinese Taipei in the next windows - a relatively easier task.

Note:The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

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