FIBA World Cup: Basketball's Most Prestigious Tournament To Kick Off in the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia With Some of the NBA's Brightest Stars

After women's soccer, the next World Cup will be men's basketball as several countries descend upon Asia to compete for the FIBA World Cup, with some big NBA stars representing their respective countries.

Three countries are co-hosting basketball's biggest tournament, and they are the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. While the Philippines and Japan are playing in the FIBA World Cup, Indonesia has become the first host country to not qualify as its national team did poorly in the qualifiers.

Meanwhile, defending champions Spain will seek to do a repeat, though Team USA is hungry to redeem itself after losing in the previous World Cup. Meanwhile, other countries that also boast some NBA-backed firepower are also ready to prove themselves on the world stage.

NBA Stars Representing Their Countries at the FIBA World Cup

The United States, often considered a favorite to win it all, would not be backed by any significant superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, or Kevin Durant. However, they will be relying on youth as the team will be led by a very hungry and eager Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The United States is the reigning Olympic champion and is hungry for another shot at redemption with a team of all NBA players.

Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will be coaching Team USA, with Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra acting as assistant coach. Both have multiple NBA championship rings that prove their coaching success.

Meanwhile, Spain has lost the Gasol brothers to retirement but is still one of the favorites to go all the way, as they are led by the Hernangomez brothers, Juan and Willy, as well as NBA players like Usman Garuba and Santi Aldama.

France, Australia, and Canada are also filled with NBA stars, while Slovenia is all about one man, Luka Doncic. As for Serbia, reigning NBA champion Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is skipping out this year, but his team is still pretty scary, being led by Bogdan Bogdanovic. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, a former NBA MVP and champion, is also missing as his brother, Thanasis, would be the one leading Greece into battle in Manila, per the Philippine Star.

Argentina is missing despite being ranked #4 in the world after losing in the qualifiers. However, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Canada, Brazil, the Bahamas, and the USA are the ones representing the Americas.

As for the hosts, Yuta Watanabe of the Phoenix Suns is leading Japan while Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson will be leading the Philippines.

FIBA World Cup Groupings

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Dominican Republic will be facing off against Italy, Angola, and the Jordan Clarkson-led Philippines in Group A, while Puerto Rico will face off against China, Serbia, and South Sudan in Group B.

The United States will take on Jordan, Greece, and the Thanasis-led Greece in Manila for Group C, while Mexico's Los Guerreros will take on Egypt, Lithuania, and the Nikola Vucevic-led Montenegro in Group D. Groups A to D will all be in the Philippines.

Germany, Finland, Australia, and Japan are all part of this tournament's "Group of Death" in Group E, while Cape Verde, Georgia, and Venezuela are all trying to stop Luka Doncic and Slovenia in Group F. These games are happening in Okinawa, Japan.

Finally, over in Indonesia, Spain will begin its World Cup defense against Iran, Ivory Coast, and Brazil in Group G, while Group H will feature favorites France and Canada being pitted against each other, as well as Latvia and Lebanon.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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