MIAMI (United States) – No team is willing to give any ground in this final window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers, where the last 9 spots for the continental tournament will be decided. National teams have done everything possible to bring back several of their key players, and the athletes are committed to giving their all for their countries to achieve the goal of qualification. Here are five players who excite us with their return for these February games:
Yago Santos (BRA)
Position: Point Guard Age: 25 Height: 178 cm / 5'10" The speedy point guard only played one game in the first window, where he scored 22 points, including 6 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists against Paraguay. With his team already qualified for the AmeriCup 2025, he is here to bring his experience and demonstrate his commitment to the coach. With Red Star Belgrade (SBR) in the EuroLeague, he is averaging 6.9 points and 3.6 assists, while in the ABA League, he shows 8.4 points and 4.2 assists.
Braian Angola (COL)
Position: Shooting Guard Age: 30 Height: 195 cm / 6'5" He will make his debut in these Qualifiers, arriving at just the right time as Colombia seeks to secure its qualification at home. He has not played with the national team since the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, where he averaged 18.4 points per game. He currently plays for Turk Telekom in Turkey's top league, where he is averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.
Jean Montero (DOM)
Position: Point Guard Age: 21 Height: 190 cm / 6'3" "The Problem," as he is nicknamed, is one of the high-profile additions to the Dominican Republic team as they aim to secure their spot in the continental tournament. Alongside him will be Andrés Feliz and Ángel Delgado, among others. Montero is having another outstanding season in Spain's top division with Valencia, where he is posting 14.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. In these Qualifiers, he faced Mexico in Window 1, contributing 19 points and 7 assists.
George Conditt IV (PUR)
Position: Center Age: 24 Height: 212 cm / 6'11" His mere presence provides Puerto Rico with stability in the paint, putting the team in a strong position to aim for two wins in front of their home crowd. These February games will mark his return to the national team since the last Olympic Games in Paris. He currently plays for Gran Canaria in Spain's ACB, where in 17.2 minutes, he contributes 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 block.
Norris Cole (USA)
Position: Point Guard Age: 36 Height: 188 cm / 6'2" The two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat (2011-12, 2012-13) is heading into his second international experience with the United States, following his participation in the 2022 AmeriCup in Brazil. There, he played a key role with 13.7 points and 4.0 assists, helping the Americans finish in third place. In 2024, he played in Puerto Rico's BSN with the Manatí team (17.4 points and 8.2 assists). It’s no coincidence that he has been called up just in time for the USA's crucial away game against Puerto Rico. FIBA