BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Six teams have locked up their spots at the FIBA Asia Cup later this year in Jeddah, joining the hosts Saudi Arabia. Five more teams will also claim their tickets to the main event later this year.
With fewer spots up for grabs, some teams are starting to feel the pressure. That's why there's some movement in the update of the Smart Power Ranking ahead of Window 3 of the Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Here is Volume 5 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings.
The teams were ranked taking into consideration forms heading into this window, the competition system, and opponent strength among others.
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: -
Maybe you are concerned that the Boomers might be a bit more laid back this window, having already qualified and playing back-to-back home games against the bottom two teams in the standings. Maybe you feel they might experiment a little with their roster in these next two games against Indonesia and Thailand and might get caught slacking.
But we've seen the level of consistency at which this program operates. So we're going to stay put with the Boomers up top for now.
#2 Lebanon ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 3 Movement: +1
Wael Arakji's recent comments about playing for the national team is a good sign for how fired up Lebanon will be for this final window, even if they have already qualified for the Asia Cup.
They also proved that was not just talk from their superstar either as the Cedars recently beat the Philippines 75-54 in the Doha International Cup. Not bad.
#3 China ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 5 Movement: +2
Zhou Qi has been active in China's training camp and that might be the biggest confidence booster for China heading into this final window.
Remember, Zhou did not play in China's previous loss in Japan. We also listed a few more reasons why China can come out on top in that crucial clash against Japan - and those same reasons are why the signs are pointing towards a strong last window.
#4 Japan ⏸
Previous Ranking: 4 Movement: -
Japan might be lacking some star power - according to their training camp roster - but coach Tom Hovasse doesn't mind. The head coach always seems to enjoy mixing up rotations and trying out new things which has worked out for him and the program so far in the big picture.
Will we get to see any new, exciting talents rise out of the ranks for Japan this window?
#5 Philippines ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 2 Movement: -3
Recent forms matter. While the Philippines have been an exciting team to watch as they've gotten more comfortable with each other over the past few years, their performance at the Doha International Cup is a bit concerning.
Losing to Egypt, losing to Lebanon, barely edging out Qatar in Doha, and losing Kai Sotto to an injury as individual instances might not be worth hitting the panic button. But when all of that happens, you can't help but worry a bit.
#6 Jordan ⏸
Previous Ranking: 6 Movement: -
Jordan basketball fans are probably still asking what they need to do to crack the Top 5 of this Smart Power Ranking. The hard truth is that you have to keep on grinding.
And they've been doing well so far, staying undefeated and winning the exhibition games they should be winning. They have a grand opportunity to make a statement with an appointment against Asia Cup hosts Saudi Arabia in this window. If they are able to score another convincing win at home this time, we might see some movement at the top five post-window.
#7 New Zealand ⏸
Previous Ranking: 7 Movement: -
The Tall Blacks might have lost the last time they played the Philippines, but they might be licking their chops ahead of the big rematch considering Gilas' recent form. Both teams are already qualified so there's a bit less tension, but the sparks always seem to fly when these two teams paths collide.
New Zealand will potentially be trying out some new exciting talents (Hi, Tama Isaac) but the vets are also lined up to play.
#8 Korea ⏸
Previous Ranking: 8 Movement: -
It's a bit difficult to be sure of what to expect from Korea this window. They're lining up a squad that lacks the firepower of the previous windows, though maintaining some consistency.
Korea are in a good position to clinch that last Asia Cup spot available in Group A, but they have to be focused - especially in Thailand in their first game.
#9 Qatar ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 10 Movement: +1
Okay, okay. Qatar went winless at home in the Doha International Cup, but hear us out. They lost to the Philippines by only 3 points. Lost to Lebanon by only 3 points. And lost to Egypt by about the same margin as the Philippines.
You might be thinking, "well, that's still three losses", but it's also three games against really good teams that should be great preparation for a team that was in good shape in Window 2.
#10 Saudi Arabia ⬇️
Previous Ranking: 9 Movement: -1
Saudi Arabian club Ittihad Club had generated some buzz with their recent form and we were hoping that some of that energy could positively charge the national team in the final window, whether through the key players playing on both teams or the fans.
However, an exhibition game loss to UAE might not be the best way to get ready for these next two games. Saudi Arabia should be fine as they are already qualified as host and have cliched second-place in the standings at worst, but we're knocking them down a spot for now.
#11 Iran ⏸
Previous Ranking: 11 Movement: -
Iran are the lone top team in their group to have yet to clinch a spot at the Asia Cup and are coming off a loss last window to Qatar.
At this point, the three-time Asia Cup champions probably just want to get back into action and remind everyone why they were once among the top of Asia basketball. Are they still playing at that level though?
#12 Chinese Taipei ⏸
Previous Ranking: 12 Movement: -
Chinese Taipei missed their chance last window and now there are no direct Asia Cup qualification spots left in the group. The stakes will still be high, though, as if they can handle their business against Hong Kong, China, they can still keep their Asia Cup hopes and dreams alive via the Qualifying Tournament for Third Place teams.
They've been playing better and better so far, and we won't be surprised if that continues here.
#13 India ⏸
Previous Ranking: 13 Movement: -
India jumped 7 spots in the last Smart Power Ranking update, rightfully so considering their inspiring play. But here, they stay put at 13 as we wait to see them prove themselves worthy of another bump up.
We've seen many teams flash glimpses of potential over the course of a window only before being brought down back to earth later on. Maybe India won't be one of those teams.
#14 Guam ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 13 Movement: +1
Guam came close to clinching an Asia Cup debut in the previous cycle and they'll have to bite their nails again this time. They have a chance to qualify directly as one of the top two teams in Group C (if many things go their way), but the main focus right now would be to at least defeat Mongolia first in their first game.
#15 Thailand ⬇️
Previous Ranking: 14 Movement: -1
Thailand are safe from finishing last place in the group and must be feeling pretty confident after closing the window with a big win. Still, the two upcoming games against Korea (home) and Australia (away) are not going to be easy.
While they seem to have Moses Morgan (15.5 points per game in Window 1) back in their training camp, they are also missing big man Chanatip Jakrawan (9.8 points, 7.3 rebounds per game) due to an injury.
#16 Bahrain ⏸
Previous Ranking: 16 Movement: -
Bahrain has been tuning up their squad for Window 3 with/against Jordan, which should be nice. What everyone will want to see, however, is whether Ahmed Haji can make it rain once again after dropping 11 straight triples last window.
They'll probably need it against Lebanon.
#17 Kazakhstan ⏸
Previous Ranking: 17 Movement: -
Back-to-back home games will be nice for Kazakhstan, but they still have a lot of work to do. Will that home crowd or maybe even a burst of youthful energy be enough to boost them back in contention to qualify?
#18 Iraq ⏸
Previous Ranking: 18 Movement: -
Iraq blew double-digit leads in both games of the previous window and ended up with two losses. They can't afford to do that again in this window, especially against Palestine - a game which could determine third place in the standings of the group.
#19 Palestine ⏸
Previous Ranking: 19 Movement: -
We're putting Palestine one spot below Iraq, but they are pretty much interchangeable. Palestine also came close in both games to getting an important win but fell short. They can feel good about that going into this final window, but close defeats - no matter how narrow the margin - will not matter anymore in this final window.
#20 UAE ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 21 Movement: +1
Don't look now, but are UAE on the rise?! They defeated Bahrain last window and recently defeated Saudi Arabia in a tune-up game.
They'll still have to continue to prove if this form is the real deal and they can even claim a spot at the Asia Cup if everything goes their way.
#21 Hong Kong, China ⬆️⬆️
Previous Ranking: 24 Movement: +3
We said that "there is most definitely no other way but up - for Hong Kong, China" and here they are!
With their backs against the wall, Hong Kong, China are starting to push back - at least on paper. They have some potential new recruits on the team this window that might spice things up on the court.
That's a good thing as they'll need all of the spice they can get to keep their hopes and dreams of qualifying for the Asia Cup alive.
#22 Mongolia ⬆️
Previous Ranking: 23 Movement: +1
Mongolia have been getting better as each window passes which is what should be expected for a team making their first appearance. Can they show that same kind of spirit in this window?
#23 Syria ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 20 Movement: -3
Syria are in a tough situation of not being able to play in Syria for their home games this Window, instead scheduled to play their games against UAE and Bahrain in Qatar. They currently have one win in four games, which means it will be an uphill battle to clinch Asia Cup qualification.
#24 Indonesia ⬇️⬇️
Previous Ranking: 22 Movement: -2
Someone had to slide down to this last spot after Hong Kong, China made their way up and, unfortunately, it's Indonesia. Last window they showed some grit against Korea but gone are Brandon Jawato (14.5 points per game in Window 2) and Anthony Beane (27 points against Korea) for this one.
FIBA