European Qualifiers by the numbers
MIES (Switzerland) - There were spectacular plays, defining results and of course, plenty of drama in the last window of the European Qualifiers for World Cup. Most consequential were the numbers.
MIES (Switzerland) - Spectacular plays, defining results and of course, plenty of drama is what we'll all remember from the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Most consequential were the numbers.
Twelve teams reached the 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup including three - Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia - in the last window.
Here are some meaningful numbers from the European Qualifiers
1
France's Victor Wembanyama was the only player across all regions that combined for more than 20 points, more than 15 rebounds and more than five blocks in a single game in the World Cup qualifiers. He had 22 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks in Les Bleus' triumph over the Czech Republic on February 23, 2023.
2.3
Whether it's jumping the passing lane or picking an opponent's pocket, Alexa Avramovic got his steals!
The number 2.3? Alexa Avramovic's average steals per game, which ranked No. 1 in the European Qualifiers. He finished with 16 in seven games.
10
That's the number of games that needed overtime in the European Qualifiers, which was twice as many as the other three regions combined (Americas 3, Asia 1, Africa 1). Among the overtime games was Serbia's 100-94 win over Greece on August 25, 2022, when adversaries Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 69 points.
11
It was a tall order trying to get the ball over Wemby, who had six blocks against the Czechs
Czech fans in Pardubice attended a block party on February 23 when France swatted 11 Czech shots. Six rejections were courtesy of Victor Wembanyama, four were by Yoan Makoundou ane one from Sylvain Francisco.
21
Georgia lost by three at home to Iceland, good enough for Tornike Shengelia and Co to reach the World Cup
Europe had the most "close games" during the World Cup 2023 qualifiers, with 21 percent of their contests ending with a difference of three points or less. Asia had the fewest amount of "close games" with only 2.6 percent ending with a three-point margin or less, while Africa had 9.1 percent and the Americas 6.0 percent.
21
Tryggvi Hlinason had a record-setting performance against Italy in Iceland's second game of the European Qualifiers, corralling 21 rebounds. The Icelandic big man also had 34 points, accounting for one of his four double-doubles in the European Qualifiers (Sweden's Simon Birgander also had four).
61.8
France ranked No. 1 in blocks (52) and steals (126) in the European Qualifiers, contributing to their stingy defense
France conceded an average of 61.8 points per game in the European Qualifiers, making their defense the stingiest among the 30 teams.
74
NIKOS ROGKAVOPOULOS WITH THE GAME OF HIS LIFE 🇬🇷#FIBAWC x #WinForHellas pic.twitter.com/Qo9ijlMrS9
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 24, 2023
Greece's players off the bench scored 74 points against Serbia in their win over February 24, 2023, the most of any team in a game across all regions during the World Cup Qualifiers.
Nikos Ragkavopoulos had 28 points off the bench and Dimitris Moraitis 23.
88.1
I
Italy's scoring average of 88.1 points per game was tops in the European Qualifiers, with Spain No. 2 at 83.1ppg
Italy poured in the points! The Azzurri averaged 88.1 per game during the World Cup 2023 qualifiers, more than any other team in Europe.
91.9
Ludvig Hakanson has ice running in his veins at the free-throw line, where he made 34 of 37 in the Qualifiers
No player was better suited to step up to the free-throw line in the European Qualifiers than Ludvig Hakanson, who made 34 of 37. His 91.9 percentage ranked first overall.
226
Thad says: GAME OVER 🎮#FIBAWC x #WinForGeorgia pic.twitter.com/io2ivOXQDP
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 23, 2023
The number of points Georgia scoring machine Thaddus McFadden had in the European Qualifiers. No other player in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Americas reached 200 total points! McFadden also made the most three-pointers (50). It helped that he was also the only player to log 400 minutes or more in the qualifiers (431).
FIBA