FIBA Basketball World Cup Top 100 scorers: 25-1

MIES (Switzerland) - We have reached the 100-day mark in the countdown for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. To commemorate the occasion, there's no better time to remember the top 100 scorers in competition history.

Divided into four segments of 25 players each, the series starts on Tuesday, May 16 with exactly 100 days to go until the 19th edition of the flagship event. 

Ranks 100-76
Ranks 75-51
Ranks 50-26

The players ranked 100-76, 75-51 and 50-26 have already been announced and we continue our countdown as we look at the next 25 players:

 

25. Valeri TIKHONENKO

 

FORWARD

Birth date: 19/08/1964

Points: 353
Games played: 26
Participations: 3 (1986, 1990, 1998)
Medals: 🥈(1986, 1990, 1998)

Tikhonenko played in three World Cups - in 1986 and 1990 for Soviet Union and then in 1998 for Russia - and he took home a silver medal all three times. The forward was the Soviets' leading scorer in 1986 with 17.2 points, topped by 25 points against Greece and he had 16 points in losing to USA in the Final. In 1990, the Uzbekistan native averaged 18.5 points, including 38 points versus Brazil. But Tikhonenko was limited to 5 points in the Final - a loss to Yugoslavia. Tikhonenko played in 1998 for Russia and contributed 4.1 points as as 34-year-old.

 

24. Fabricio OBERTO

 

CENTER

Birth date: 21/03/1975

Points: 356
Games played: 32
Participations: 4 (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010)
Medals: 🥈(2002)

Oberto helped make up one of Argentina's greatest generations, finishing second at the 2002 World Cup as well as winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal. The center played in all four World Cups from 1998 to 2010. He totaled 12.9 points per game in 1998, including 21 points against Brazil. Oberto averaged 13.3 points in 2002 with his best game of 28 points coming in the Final - a loss to Yugoslavia. Oberto collected 8.7 points per game in 2006, topped by 23 points against New Zealand. The big man was still going strong in 2010 as a 35-year-old and averaged 8.4 points, hitting 11 points against Germany.

 

23. Jordi VILLACAMPA

GUARD / FORWARD

Birth date: 11/10/1963

Points: 356
Games played: 25
Participations: 3 (1986, 1990, 1994)
Medals: 0

Villacampa appeared in three World Cups for Spain - in 1986, 1990 and 1994. The wing debuted on the global stage in 1986 and averaged 9.3 points with 23 points against Italy his top output. Villacampa averaged 23.0 points four years later - which made him the fifth-best scorer of the tournament. He torched Venezuela for 48 points and scored 35 points against USA and 32 versus Greece. His final World Cup came in 1994 and he collected 11.0 points per game. Villacampa started the tournament with 28 points against USA and also had 24 points versus Brazil. 

 

22. Jay TRIANO

GUARD

Birth date: 21/09/1958

Points: 363
Games played: 28
Participations: 3 (1978, 1982, 1986)
Medals: 0

Triano captained Canada for many years, playing for the country for more than a decade and three World Cups. He had just turned 20 years old when he averaged 5.2 points in the 1978 World Cup, picking up 11 points against Korea. Four years later, Triano led Canada in scoring with 17.9 points. His top game came against Australia with 27 points. The guard was the team's top scorer again in 1986 with 16.8 points per game, including scoring 32 points against Italy.

 

21. Marcos LEITE

CENTER

Birth date: 23/03/1952

Points: 367
Games played: 28
Participations: 4 (1970, 1974, 1978, 1982)
Medals: 🥈(1970), 🥉(1978)

Leite appeared in four World Cups for Brazil - in 1970, 1974, 1978 and 1982 - and helped the country twice reach the podium. 'Marquinhos' was just 18 when he totaled 8 points in 5 games as Brazil finished second. The center led Brazil in scoring four years later with 15.5 points per game, topped by 20 points against Soviet Union. Leite averaged 15.7 points in 1978, when Brazil finished third. His best games came against Puerto Rico (27 points) and Italy (23). Leite's last World Cup was in 1982 when he averaged 15.6 points, including 28 points against Cote d'Ivoire.

20. Manuel RAGA

GUARD

Birth date: 14/03/1944

Points: 372
Games played: 22
Participations: 3 (1963, 1967, 1974)
Medals: 0

Raga was a leader for Mexico at three World Cups - in 1963, 1967 and 1974 - finishing second in scoring in his last appearance, Raga, who starred in Europe for many years and was nicknamed 'The Flying Mexican', averaged 11.5 points in 1963, topped by 24 points against Canada. The FIBA Hall of Famer poured in 15.6 points per game in 1967 to lead Mexico in scoring, including 31 points against Italy - the country where he would later make a major mark on the game. In 1974, Raga averaged 25.8 points per game as the second-highest scorer behind his Mexican teammate Arturo Guerrero. Raga scored 38 points against Philippines and netted 29 points versus Soviet Union and Argentina.

 

19. Jerome MINCY

FORWARD

Birth date: 10/11/1964

Points: 383
Games played: 36
Participations: 5 (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
Medals: 0

Mincy played for Puerto Rico for nearly 20 years, appearing in all five World Cups from 1986 to 2002. The forward led Puerto Rico in scoring in 1986 as a 21-year-old with 11.0 points per game. Four years later, Mincy helped Puerto Rico reach the Semi-Finals and a fourth-placed finish - the best result for the country. He was the team's second-best scorer with 14.4 points per game including 21 points versus USA in the game for third place. In 1994, Mincy again was second in scoring for Puerto Rico with 13.5 points per game. He averaged 9.0 points in 1998 and he chipped in 4.7 points per game in 2002 as a 37-year-old, scoring 11 points against Turkey in the opening game.

 

18. Juan Antonio SAN EPIFANIO

FORWARD

Birth date: 12/06/1959

Points: 394
Games played: 26
Participations: 3 (1982, 1986, 1994)
Medals: 0

San Epifanio was a force for the Spanish national team for 15 years, playing at three World Cups - 1982, 1986 and 1994 - and four Olympics. Simply known as 'Epi', the forward paced Spain in scoring in 1982 with 18.1 points per game, including 28 points agianst USA.  The FIBA Hall of Famer led the team in scoring in 1986 as well with 19. 3 points per game, netting 25 points versus Soviet Union. Epi, who was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991, averaged 7.1 points in 1994 as a 35-year-old, showing he can still light it up with 18 points against Brazil.

 

17. Drazen PETROVIC

 

GUARD

Birth date: 22/10/1964
Died: 07/06/1993

Points: 399
Games played: 18
Participations: 2 (1986, 1990)
Medals: 🥇(1990), 🥉(1986)

Petrovic was one of the greatest players on the globe before he died in a car accident in 1993 at just 28 years of age. The guard played at two World Cups for Yugoslavia including winning the Most Valuable Player award in 1986. The guard averaged 25.2 points per game in 1986, topped by 47 points against Netherlands, 36 points against Canada and 34 versus New Zealand. Four years later, the FIBA Hall of Famer led Yugoslavaia in scoring with 18.4 points per game, including 31 points in a win over USA in the Semi-Finals and 18 points in the Final to beat Soviet Union. Petrovic was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991 and was honored an Olympic Order in 1993 as he helped Yugoslavia to Olympic silver in 1988 and bronze in 1994 as well as leading Croatia to Olympic silver in 1992.  

 

16. Dirk NOWITZKI 

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: 19/06/1978

Points: 425
Games played: 18
Participations: 2 (2002, 2006)
Medals:🥉(2002)

Nowitzki played for Germany for nearly two decades and appeared in two World Cups - in 2002 and 2006, helping the country to third place in 2002 when he won the Most Valuable Player award. Nowitzki finished the 2002 World Cup as the leading scorer at 24.0 points per game, hitting for 30 points in the opener against USA and 34 against China. He also had 29 points in the game for third place against New Zealand. In 2006, Nowitzki was the second-best scorer at 23.2 points per game, topped by 47 points in a triple-overtime win over Angola.

 

15. Amaury PASOS

POWER FORWARD / CENTER

Birth date: 11/12/1935

Points: 434
Games played: 33
Participations: 4 (1954, 1959, 1963, 1967)
Medals: 🥇(1959, 1963), 🥈(1954), 🥉(1967)

Pasos was one of the leaders of Brazil's greatest generation, twice winning the World Cup in 1959 and 1963 as well as finishing second and third in his other two appearances in 1954 and 1967 respectively. Despite being nearly two months shy of his 19th birthday, Pasos scored 11.1 points per game in 1954. He pushed that to 15.2 points per game in 1959, when he was named Most Valuable Player of the World Cup for a performance including 24 points against Soviet Union. Pasos totaled 17.7 points per game as Brazil defended their title in 1963, including scoring 22 points against both Yugoslavia and USA. Pasos contributed 8.3 points per game in 1967. The big man was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.

 

14. Antonello RIVA

GUARD / FORWARD

Birth date: 28/02/1962

Points: 434
Games played: 18
Participations: 2 (1986, 1990)
Medals: 0

Riva was one of the greatest scorers in the world as he played for Italy for nearly a decade, appearing at the World Cup in 1986 and 1990. Nicknamed the 'Nembo Kid', Riva poured in 19.2 points per game in 1986, including 39 points against Israel and 31 points against Canada. Four years later, Riva finished second in the 1986 tournament in scoring with 30.3 points per game, topped by 41 points against Brazil in the opening game. Riva helped Italy to win the FIBA EuroBasket 1983 title and was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.

 

13. Wlamir MARQUES

FORWARD

Birth date: 16/07/1937

Points: 437
Games played: 30
Participations: 4 (1954, 1959, 1963, 1970)
Medals: 🥇(1959, 1963), 🥈(1954, 1970)

Marques is a true legend in Brazilian basketball, guiding the country to World Cup crowns in 1959 and 1963 and second placed finishes in 1954 and 1970. He averaged 10.6 points per game in 1954 as a 17-year-old. Four years later, Marques led the team in scoring with 18.6 points, including 26 points in a crucial game against USA and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Marques was named Most Valuable Player of the 1963 World Cup as he ranked third in the tournament in scoring at 18.0 points per game, topped again with 26 points versus USA. Marques did not play at the 1967 World Cup but returned to the team in 1970 and still averaged 12.1 points per game, highlighted by 23 points against Uruguay. Marques was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. 

 

12. Kirk PENNEY

GUARD / FORWARD

Birth date: 23/11/1980

Points: 447
Games played: 27
Participations: 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Medals: 0

Penney appeared at four World Cups for New Zealand - from 2002 to 2014 - including taking a historic fourth place in 2002. Penney and the Tall Blacks surprised Puerto Rico to reach the 2002 Semi-Finals and he averaged 16.9 points per game, including 24 points against Yugoslavia in the semis. Four years later, he led the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game, and Penney was the second-best scorer in the 2010 World Cup with 24.7 points per game after starting the tournament with 37 points against Lithuania. Penney still scored 10.8 points per game at the 2014 World Cup as a 33-year-old.

 

11. Juan-Carlos NAVARRO

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: 13/06/1980

Points: 462
Games played: 33
Participations: 4 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Medals: 🥇(2006)

Navarro played for Spain's national team for 17 years, playing at the four World Cups from 2002 to 2014 and winning the title in 2006. Nicknamed 'La Bomba', Navarro averaged 14.6 points per game in 2002, including 26 points against USA. The guard netted 14.0 points per game in 2006, topped by 22 points in a Quarter-Finals win over Lithuania and 20 points in beating Greece in the Final. Navarro led Spain in scoring four years later with 16.9 points per game, highlighted by 27 points in a loss to Serbia in the Quarter-Finals. Navarro contributed 10.0 points per game in his last World Cup in 2014.  Navarro is also a two-time European champion and owns two Olympic silver medals and a bronze medal.

 

10. Panagiotis GIANNAKIS

GUARD

Birth date: 01/01/1959

Points: 469
Games played: 26
Participations: 3 (1986, 1990, 1994)
Medals: 0

Giannakis played in three World Cups for Greece - in 1986, 1990 and 1994 - and also coached Hellas at two World Cups - finishing fourth in 1998 and taking second place in 2006. Giannakis averaged 17.3 points per game in 1986, topped by 32 points against Brazil. Giannakis showed even more of his scoring prowess in 1990 as he ranked third in the tournament in scoring with 26.0 points per game. He netted 38 points versus Brazil, 36 against Argentina and 31 points in a win over Spain. Giannakis contributed 11.0 points per game in 1994 as a 35-year-old. 

  

9. Ubiratan Pereira MACIEL

 

CENTER

Birth date: 18/01/1944
Died: 17/07/2002

Points: 474
Games played: 41
Participations: 4 (1963, 1967, 1970, 1978)
Medals: 🥇(1963), 🥈(1970), 🥉(1967, 1978)

Maciel played for Brazil at four World Cups spanning from 1963 to 1978, appearing in 41 games - tying him with Luis Scola for the most in World Cup history. Nicknamed 'O Rei' - 'The King' in English, Maciel helped Brazil to four podium finishes: the title in 1963, second place in 1970 and third place in 1967 and 1978. He averaged 7.7 points in 1963 as a 19-year-old and 15.9 points in 1967, topped by 26 points against Soviet Union. The FIBA Hall of Famer picked up 14.6 points per game in 1970, including 27 points versus Italy. He contributed 5.9 points in 1978 as a 34-year-old. Maciel in 1994 was named among FIBA 50 Greatest Players and was given a FIBA Order of Merit in 1994.

 

8.  Pau GASOL

CENTER

Birth date: 06/07/1980

Points: 482
Games played: 24
Participations: 3 (2002, 2006, 2014)
Medals: 🥇(2006)

One of the all-time European greats, Gasol helped Spain win the World Cup in 2006 in one of his three appearances in the flagship event, taking home the Most Valuable Player award in 2006. Gasol averaged 19.1 points in 2002, topped by 22 points against Yugoslavia. The center ranked third in scoring in 2006 with 21.3 points, including 28 points versus Angola and 25 points in a win over Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals. He was unable to play in the 2006 Final with an injury. Gasol led Spain in scoring again in 2014 with 20.0 points per game, including 33 points against Iran in the opener and 26 points in a win over Brazil. Gasol is also a three-time European champion and won two Olympic silvers and one bronze with Spain. 
 

7. Dragan KICANOVIC

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: 17/08/1953

Points: 491
Games played: 25
Participations: 3 (1974, 1978, 1982)
Medals:🥇(1978), 🥈(1974), 🥉(1982)

Kicanovic was one of the leaders of Yugoslavia's golden years and appeared at three World Cups, winning the title in 1978, taking home second place in 1974 as tournament Most Valuable Player and finishing third in 1982. In 1974, he led the team in scoring with 19.9 points per game, including a 34-point showing against Canada. Kicanovic's 18.0 points per game were second best on Yugoslavia in 1978 and he shined with 34 points in the first game against Soviet Union and then 17 points in Yugoslavia's win over the Soviets in the Final. Kicanovic also is a 1980 Olympic gold medalist and won three European crowns.

 

6. Jose ORTIZ

POWER FORWARD / CENTER

Birth date: 25/10/1963

Points: 511
Games played: 33
Participations: 4 (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
Medals: 0

Ortiz played for Puerto Rico at all four World Cups from 1990 to 2002 and never averaged fewer than 12.8 points. Nicknamed 'Piculin', Ortiz collected 18.4 points in 1990 as Puerto Rico placed in the top four for the first time. The big man scored 23 points in a surprise win over Yugoslavia and then his 25 points were not enough in the game for third place in an overtime loss to USA. Ortiz averaged 12.8 points in 1994, topped by 20 points versus Russia. In 1998, the big man picked up 16.5 points per game, highlighted by 22 points in a win over Japan. In his final World Cup at age 38, Ortiz averaged 14.4 points in the 2002 World Cup, including 25 points against Angola.

 

5. Marcel DE SOUZA

GUARD / FORWARD

Birth date: 04/12/1956

Points: 543
Games played: 40
Participations: 5 (1974, 1978, 198, 1986, 1990)
Medals: 🥉(1978)

De Souza played for Brazil at all five World Cups from 1974 to 1990 and took home one medal with third place in 1978. He also appeared in 40 games - good for third all time in history. De Souza was just 17 years old in 1974 when he contributed 8.6 points. Four years later, he led Brazil in scoring with 18.9 points per game including 30 points against China and Puerto Rico and 22 points in the game for third place against Italy. De Souza picked up 8.0 points per game in 1982, topped by 27 points against Cote d'Ivoire. He tallied 18.0 points per game in 1986, highlighted by 32 points against Soviet Union as well as 17 points in a loss in the third-place game. In his last World Cup in 1990 at age 33, De Souza contributed 11.8 points per game with his top games being 20 points against China and Soviet Union.

 

4. Drazen DALIPAGIC

 

FORWARD

Birth date: 27/11/1951

Points: 563
Games played: 35
Participations: 4 (1974, 1978, 1982, 1986)
Medals:🥇(1978), 🥈(1974), 🥉(1982, 1986)

Dalipagic was one of Yugoslavia's leaders in four World Cups, taking home a medal from each addition from 1974 to 1986. In addition to winning the 1980 Olympic gold medal, Dalipagic helped Yugoslavia claim the World Cup crown in 1978 as the Most Valuable Player, finished second in 1974 and claimed third place in 1982 and 1986. Dalipagic averaged 6.9 points in 1974 and four years later he led Yugoslavia in scoring with 22.4 points per game, including 37 in the first game against Soviet Union and 21 points in the victory over the Soviets in the Final. The FIBA Hall of Famer collected 16.8 points per game in 1982, highlighted by 27 points against Australia and 25 points to lock up third place. Despite being 34 years old, Dalipagic tallied 16.2 points per game in 1986, topped by 32 points against Italy as well as against Brazil in the game for third place. Dalipagic was also named as one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.

 

3. Andrew Gaze

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: 24/07/1965

Points: 594
Games played: 29
Participations: 4 (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998)
Medals: 0

Gaze appeared in four World Cups for Australia from 1986 to 1998 - three times finishing in the top five in scoring and was the top scorer in 1994. Gaze was just shy of his 21st birthday at the 1986 World Cup where he averaged 14.8 points per game, topped by 37 points against Israel. The FIBA Hall of Famer tied for fourth-overall in scoring with 24.3 points per game in 1990, pouring in 37 points again against Brazil. Gaze had at least 30 points three times in 1994 - highlighted by 34 points against Puerto Rico - and he averaged 23.9 points. Gaze was already 33 years old in 1998 when he picked up 16.9 points per game, including 33 points against Canada. Gaze was named among FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.

 

2. Luis SCOLA

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: 30/04/1980

Points: 716
Games played: 41
Participations: 5 (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2019)
Medals: 🥈(2002, 2019)

Scola played at five World Cups for Argentina - guiding the team to second place in 2002 and 2019 and leading the tournament in scoring in 2010. And his 41 games played ranks tied for first all time in World Cup history. Scola averaged 9.1 points in 2002, including 11 points in the Final - a loss to Yugoslavia. The power forward picked up 14.3 points per game in 2006, topped by 22 points against Serbia & Montenegro. Scola led all scorers in 2010 at 27.1 points per game, five times hitting at least 30 points including 37 points against Brazil. He was Argentina's top scorer four years later with 19.5 points per game with his top showing of 30 points coming against Croatia. Despite being 39 years old in 2019, the veteran averaged 17.9 points, highlighted by 28 points in the Semi-Finals against France.

 

1. Oscar SCHMIDT

 

GUARD/FORWARD

Birth date: 16/02/1958

Points: 843
Games played: 33
Participations: 4 (1978, 1982, 1986, 1990)
Medals: 🥉(1978)

The all-time leading scorer is Schmidt, who starred at all four World Cups from 1978 to 1990 for Brazil - leading the tournament in scoring in 1990 and finishing third in 1978. Schmidt was just 20 years old in 1978 and he still averaged 17.7 points, including 27 points against Philippines and 18 points in the game for third place against Italy. He led Brazil in scoring four years later with 21.0 points per game, topped by 38 points in a win over Uruguay. The FIBA Hall of Famer was second in scoring at the 1986 World Cup with 28.1 points, highlighted by 49 points against Cuba and 43 points versus USA. Schmidt was even more impressive in 1990 as he scored 34.6 points per game with his top game being 52 points against Australia as well as 44 points in a win against Greece. Schmidt also was named FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991. 

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