Top 100 reasons to be hyped up for the World Cup - Part 2

MIES (Switzerland) - In less than 100 days, the FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

We've selected 100 good reasons to look forward to, with relish, international basketball's biggest and most competitive tournament.

You can check out reasons 100 to 76 here. Here are reasons 75 to 51.

75

Who wants a third one?

Only two active players could aim at an unprecedented trifecta of World Cup titles: Rudy Fernandez of Spain and Stephen Curry of USA. Rudy won the crown in 2006 and 2019 and Steph in 2010 and 2014.

 

74

Upset, reloaded?

Lebanon upset France at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2006. Can the Cedars spring a major surprise again when they square off against Les Bleus on August 29 in Jakarta?

73

Who are the best bros in the business?

Pau and Marc Gasol won the World Cup in 2006, Juancho and Willy Hernangomez won in 2019. They would be the first brothers in arms to go back-to-back if Spain win in 2023. Franz and Moritz Wagner of Germany, Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo and brothers Thanasis and Kostas, Thirdy and Keifer Ravena of the Philippines, Slovenia's Goran and Zoran Dragic and Cape Verde's Joel and Ivan Almeida could all go for glory this summer, among others.

72

When Pau Gasol talks, we need to listen.

"I love to see the game grow, I love to see the game thrive, get more kids, more people excited about the game, enjoying the game, more countries having a chance in this World Cup, and getting better and getting stronger. That's how the trend has been. It's great to see."

71

How far can KAT take his team?

Karl-Anthony Towns, who averaged more than 20 points per game this season in the NBA, wants to play for the Dominican Republic, who beat Argentina in Argentina in a do-or-die game to punch their ticket to the World Cup.

70

The Haka

The New Zealand Tall Blacks perform their ceremonial Maori dance, before games. And while watching it is utterly captivating, the reaction of the opposing team is also entertaining. Just check out the USA's reaction from the 2014 World Cup.

 

69

The World Cup Players Edition sneakers will be crazy.

This is not a question. Can't wait.

68

Who is up for a second serving?

Pau Gasol, World Cup MVP in 2006, has retired and is now a World Cup Global Ambassador. That means that only three active players could get a second World Cup MVP trophy, which has never happened before. Kevin Durant (2010), Kyrie Irving (2014) and Ricky Rubio (2019) have each been MVPs.

67

How well can you play in the World Cup at 1.67m?

Childe Dundao continues to prove for Angola that short players do big things in basketball. His 3.3 steals per game led all players during the African Qualifiers.

66

Is it the beginning of a Sasha Era in China?

Can Aleksander Djordjevic, who won the World Cup in 1998 as a player and led Serbia to the final in 2014 as a coach, use his experience, knowledge and toughness to make a difference for China?

65

The most burning question right now?

USA's roster! Which players will Steve Kerr have to get USA back to the top of the World Cup?  Right now, casting is underway for "Redeem Team, episode 2".

64

The App.

The World Cup is at your fingertips. The World Cup App offers real-time coverage with the official play-by-play and live statistics, video highlights, game reports, and live post-game press conferences.

63

Best generation ever?

Egypt’s squad is described by many as the best generation the country has ever produced. There is no better stage to prove it.

62

Germany's momentum.

Germany exceeded expectations at the EuroBasket last summer and had solid displays in the European Qualifiers. They will no doubt come to the World Cup with a very strong squad.

61

Another medal for Collet?

Vincent Collet already has the most wins of any national team coach in France's history. Can he add more hardware to an already very impressive legacy?

🥈EuroBasket 2021🥈Olympics 2021 🥉World Cup 2019 🥉EuroBasket 2015 🥉World Cup 2014 🥇EuroBasket 2013 🥈EuroBasket 2011

60

Smallest country, biggest center?

World Cup debutant Cape Verde may be the smallest country to ever qualify for the WC, but they will have one of the tallest players in the competition with the 2.20m Edy Tavares.

59

The friendlies.

The World Cup will be amazing. But even before that, you simply must keep an eye on the preparation games. The best teams need to warm up, and so do you!

58

Have you seen this guy's assists?

The World Cup will be the opportunity to see Josh Giddey's amazing passes.

 

57

Know the basketball history of the host countries.

The GOAT of Japan? The Top 3 moments of the Philippine's basketball history? Go check each dedicated page on the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

56

Forever young.

Marcelinho Huertas has found the fountain of youth. Has there ever been a better 1.83m and 40-year-old point guard in basketball? The mastery of his craft is phenomenal.

 

 

55

Will a team score 100 points per game?

 

New Zealand didn't make it out of the First Round at the 2019 World Cup yet did have the highest-scoring team, averaging 99.4 points per game. In 2014, USA averaged 104.6 points per game en route to the title.

 

54

Who has the record for most points in a single game?

That would be Jae Hur, who in 1990 scored 54 points for Korea in a 117-115 win over Egypt. Nick Galis scored 53 points for Greece against Panama in 1986. Ok, who can beat 54 points?

Maybe Luka Doncic, who erupted for 47 against France at EuroBasket 2022? But he will not be the only amazing scorer at the event.

53

The new chapter of a great legacy.

How well do you know the FIBA Basketball World Cup? Click here to watch the updated documentary on the history of the event with exclusive content from World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador Carmelo Anthony.

 

52

Tom's secret recipe?

Japan coach Tom Hovasse turned the country's women's team into a powerhouse that won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, expectations are sky-high as he leads the men's national side.

51

Does the early bird get the worm?

Finland were the first team to qualify from the European Qualifiers in the August 2022 window. Can they be one of the first to qualify from the First and Second Round of the World Cup as well?

 

This article was done by the Editorial team for promotional purposed and does not reflect in any sense FIBA’s official views on the competition.

 FIBA