Group E: Canada lead but everything else is up for grabs

MIAMI (United States) – The 2023 FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers are back this November as Window 5 is set to be played on the 10th and 14th of this month.

With seven spots available for the region to next year’s tournament in Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, things are reaching a boiling point as every game has the potential to get someone closer to their objective or leave them completely out.

This is the state of the group:

Group E

6/18 games played
All results from the First Round carry over to the Second Round

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Canada	8	8	0	100		820	554	266	102.5	69.2	16
2	Venezuela	8	7	1	87.5		631	496	135	78.9	62	15
3	Argentina	8	6	2	75.0		637	558	79	79.6	69.8	14
4	Dominican Republic	8	5	3	62.5		661	583	78	82.6	72.9	13
5	Panama	8	2	6	25.0		517	590	-73	64.6	73.8	10
6	Bahamas	8	2	6	25.0		636	741	-105	79.5	92.6	10

Thursday, November 10

Canada vs. Venezuela - 19:10 local time
Dominican Republic vs. Argentina - 20:00 local time
Bahamas vs. Panama - 20:00 local time

 Sunday, November 13

Canada vs. Panama - 19:10 local time
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela - 17:00 local time
Bahamas vs. Argentina - 19:15 local time

Canada has blazed through these Qualifiers without any bumps on the road. They’re the only undefeated team in the tournament and now have a pair of home games against Venezuela and Panama to try to clinch their spot in the World Cup. They’ll be sure not to underestimate Venezuela, since a loss a would leave both teams tied in first place. If history is any indication, the South Americans will be an extremely tough opponent.

Farther down the standings, but close enough and with good chances of rising, are Argentina and the Dominican Republic, locked in a battle for the third spot that will get them in the World Cup. The one that isn’t able to finish in the top three spots will still have a chance to punch their ticket as the best fourth-place team.

Bahamas and Panama are in the bottom spots and have lower odds but are still alive in the competition.

Star to watch

Ángel Delgado – Dominican Republic

Power forward
Height: 205cm / 6'9"
August stats: 11.0 PTS, 11.0 REB, 2.0 BLK, 1.0 AST, 55% FG in 24.0 minutes per game.

The Pinar Karsiyaka (Turkey) player has been one of the stalwarts of the Dominican team during these Qualifiers, thanks to his strength near the basket (where he leads in rebounds with 12.0). He’s again among the players eligible for D.R. and if he ends up being part of the roster, he’ll greatly improve the squad’s chances in their upcoming two games at home.

Top Prospect

Juan Fernández – Argentina

Power forward
Height: 205cm / 6'9"
First Round stats: 4.0 PTS, 5.5 REB, in 12.7 minutes per game.

The 19-year-old, currently playing for Fuenlabrada in Spain, is one of Argentina’s biggest hopes for the future when it comes to big men. He was available for Window 4 but didn’t see any minutes due to the presence of Argentina’s main stars. Now that most of them will be absent, Fernández could get more opportunities to show head coach Pablo Prigioni that he’s able to produce right now.

Group E teams in the FIBA World Ranking:

World Rank	Team	Americas Rank
4.	Argentina	2.
15.	Canada	4.
17.	Venezuela	5.
26.	Dominican Republic	7.
51.	Panama	10.
60.	Bahamas	13.

 FIBA