The 2019 World Cup is just hours away now. 32 top national teams are set to determine the best basketball nation in the world. The spectacle starts on August 31st with only two teams staying alive to battle for the title on September 15th.
Every contender should go through two group stages. A team should end up at first or second place to advance to the next round in each group stage. The single-elimination tournament starts at the quarterfinals phase. The seven best teams from the respected continents (one from Africa, Asia, and Oceania, two from Americas and Europe) will earn a spot at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
With the format set, let’s unveil each team that will battle for the gold in China.
*All rosters being updated in accordance with the official FIBA website
GROUP G
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Appearance: 3rd
Best result: 12th (1978)
Star Player: Eulis Baez
Dominicans could’ve had monstrous roster for a small Carribean nation on paper. But this, of course, would be possible only if Al Horford and Karl-Anthony Towns were available for a ride. Without its two legit NBA stars, the Dominican Republic is limited to veterans with experience playing in Europe and their local talent. And experience should probably be Eulis Baez’s second name. The 37-year-old vet has seen it all in the Spanish ACB with Joventut and Gran Canaria. He will be the “do it all” guy for the team.
Supporting Cast
Behind Baez, there is a solid group of vets who also know what it takes to play in Europe professionally, including Dagoberto Pena, Ronald Roberts, and Sadiel Rojas. However, its the Dominican backcourt that will be major threat to their rivals. Unlike Baez, Victor Liz and Rigoberto Mendoza played all 12 qualifier games for their national team and basically were the primary attacking options throughout the process.
Overview
Germany struggled mightily in exhibitions prior to the World Cup but that doesn’t mean they are close to giving up their tickets to the second group stage. France with one of the strongest squads at the tournament looks unbeatable for this Dominican team. Win over Jordan and qualifying for the wild card Olympic tournament is probably the most realistic goals for the Carribean nation in China.
Roster
1 – Dagoberto Pena – G
2 – Rigoberto Mendoza – G
5 – Victor Liz – G
7 – Sadiel Rojas – F
9 – Juan Suero – F
11 – Eloy Vargas – C
13 – Eulis Baez – F
14 – Ronald Ramon – G
24 – Gelvis Solano – G
33 – Ronald Roberts – F
41 – Juan Garcia – F
44 – Luis Montero – G
FRANCE
Appearance: 8th
Best result: Bronze (2014)
Star Player: Rudy Gobert
Tony Parker decided to call it a day and that meant only one thing. Rudy Gobert is now the man for Les Blues. It was a long time coming for the Jazz star but the torch has been finally passed on. Gobert is coming off his best season in the NBA. The Frenchman has been selected to both All-NBA (3rd) and NBA All-Defensive (1st) teams while receiving the Defensive Player of the Year award once again. The Jazz weren’t able to sneak into the second round of the NBA playoffs, so there is no extra mileage on him. It could be a huge factor if France goes deep in China considering the physicality of international play.
Supporting Cast
France is one of the few teams that can easily cut a player with recent NBA experience without a second thought. That was the case with Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot. However, some losses were unexpected and it’s pretty troubling for the French team. They won’t have Thomas Heurtel who went through an operation on his knee and Adrien Moerman who struggled with Achilles tendon pain. Other than that, France brought its finest including NBAers Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, Vincent Pourier, and Frank Ntilikina, who desperately needs a massive turnaround after disappointing seasons with the Knicks. One of the best players outside of the NBA, Nando De Colo, will also be present in China as well as Sixers draftee Mathias Lessort and prominent point guard Andrew Albicy.
Overview
If everything goes right for them, and it’s always a big if when it comes to international basketball, France can be one of the few teams that could face Team USA in the final. But that, of course, will be possible if they get through their most likely opponents in a single-elimination tournament, Greece and Spain. In any case, this French team as deep as it could be. There are not a lot of significant changes compared to their Olympic squad three years ago. Yes, Tony Parker is gone, but Evan Fournier is present this time around and Rudy Gobert is a much better player now. So here is your “not so dark horse” to win it all.
Roster
1 – Frank Ntilikina – G
2 – Amath M’Baye – F
5 – Nicolas Batum – F
10 – Evan Fournier – G
12 – Nando De Colo – G
17 – Vincent Poirier – C
21 – Andrew Albicy – G
25 – Louis Labeyrie – F
26 – Mathias Lessort – C
27 – Rudy Gobert – C
33 – Axel Toupane – F
90 – Paul Lacombe – F
GERMANY
Appearance: 6th
Best result: Bronze (2002)
Star Player: Dennis Schroder
Dirk Nowitzki’s farewell tour was way more flashy than Parker’s. However, there is also a difference between Germany and France here. Germany is Dennis Schroder’s team at least since Eurobasket 2015. His quickness and creativity are too important for a team plagued by a chronic lack of quality in the backcourt. He finished as the second-best scorer at Eurobasket 2017 with 23.7 points per game (only Alexey Shved did better with 24.3) and Germany unsurprisingly finished sixth. It’s his first big international tournament not named Eurobasket, but for one of the best point guards of this World Cup this shouldn’t be a problem
Supporting Cast
As usual, Germany has a very deep rotation in the forward-center spots. The frontcourt is filled with two NBA solid players, Celtics’ Daniel Theis and Mavericks’ Maximilian Kleber, and two Euroleague-caliber guys, Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtmann. It will be supported by the new Bayern Munich sharpshooter Paul Zipser, a two-time NCAA champion Niels Giffey and the veteran Robin Benzing. There was so much talent on the table, coach Rodl decided to cut Lakers’ Moritz Wagner. Schroder can find some help from the former Columbia star Maodo Lo and another young star in the making, Wizards’ Isaac Bonga.
Overview
Despite a solid roster and a first-class player like Schroeder, Germany was not very convincing in exhibitions. This is surprising since Coach Rodl’s team had a very good run in the Qualifying Rounds. Now, it is hard to think they can go further than the second round in this World Cup. The main problem here is that they will most likely face Australia and Lithuania in the second group stage. Reaching the quarterfinals would be a huge deal. Once you get there, who knows. Dirk did some damage in 2002…
Roster
4 – Maodo Lo – G
5 – Niels Giffey – F
7 – Johannes Voigtmann – F
8 – Ismet Akpinar – G
10 – Daniel Theis – F
12 – Robin Benzing – F
17 – Dennis Schroder – G
21 – Paul Zipser – F
22 – Danilo Barthel – F
24 – Maxi Kleber – F
32 – Johannes Thiemann – F
42 – Andreas Obst – G
JORDAN
Appearance: 2nd
Best result: 23 (2010)
Star Player: Dar Tucker
Another team with a naturalized American player that stands out among his new teammates. The DePaul‘s product had a few cracks at the opportunity to suit up for NBA teams but was never called up from the G League. The second part of his career was filled with Dominican and Argentine teams. He has been playing for San Lorenzo, one of the most successful South American clubs recently, since 2017. This fact allowed him to help his national team frequently during qualifiers. He averaged 21.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in the process.
Supporting Cast
Zaid Abbas is one of the few Asian players that gained the respect of Chinese teams. And it says a lot considering their neverending love for NBA talent. Abbas has been putting great numbers practically averaging a double-double through six years in China. Zaid will basically be a co-star next to Tucker. The rest of the team represents local Asian leagues.
Overview
It will be only the second appearance at the biggest international stage for Jordan. So it’s safe to say that anything other than the last place in the classification will be a fair result for them. They don’t have any firepower to confront France and Germany so the game against the Dominican Republic is their only opportunity to grab a win.
Roster
0 – Mahmoud Abdeen – G
1 – Amin Abu Hawwas – G
2 – Dar Tucker – G
4 – Jordan Al-Dasuqi – G
5 – Fadi Mustafa – G
7 – Ahmad Al-Hamarsheh – F
10 – Ahmad Obeid – F
12 – Yousef Abuwazaneh – C
13 – Mohammad Hussein – C
15 – Zaid Abbas – F
23 – Mousa Alawadi – G
44 – Ahmad Al Dwairi – C
GROUP H
AUSTRALIA
Appearance: 12th
Best result: 5 (1982, 1994)_
Star Player: Patty Mills
If Bogut is the silent leader in the locker room, without Ben Simmons, Patty Mills is the real one. His performance will be the key in Australia’s run and the win over Team USA (30 points, 14 in the last 7 minutes) said it louder than anything. Mills was sensational in Rio too (second best scorer with 21.2 points), so there is nothing new for him. “We have some unfinished business”, Mills said referring to a heartbreak loss to Spain in the bronze medal final, in which he scored 30 points. It was not enough to give Australia the first-ever medal in any international competition. But Patty is here to erase the frustration.
Supporting Cast
Australia can count on two NBA players in the frontcourt, Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes. Bogut, however, won’t be able to stop up immediately due to injured ankle. The Boomers lost Jonah Bolden two weeks prior to the World Cup due to personal reasons, but this gives more responsibilities to Jock Landale, who presented himself well in the Summer League. He will join Lithuanian powerhouse Zalgiris after the tournament.
Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles will complete the starting five giving the team defense, three-point shooting, facilitating, and general leadership. The bench won’t be that deep though. The veteran sharpshooter Chris Goulding will have an important role, while, surprisingly, an NBA experienced guy like Mitch Creek got a spot in the 12 only because of Xavier Cooks’ injury.
Overview
Australia’s growth in the last decade is impressive and the team seems ready to try to compete for a medal after the fourth place finish in Rio 2016. Lemanis must do it once again without Ben Simmons, Thon Maker, and Dante Exum. Even Ryan Broekhoff will be out. But some of his cuts were even more surprising. Brock Motum, a national team veteran that comes out a good season in Turkey with the Euroleague runner-up Anadolu Efes, was an early cut. The young star Deng Adel didn’t make the team either. The depth of this team will be worth watching.
Roster
2 – Nathan Sobey – G
3 – Cam Gliddon – G
4 – Chris Goulding – G
5 – Patty Mills – G
6 – Andrew Bogut – C
7 – Joe Ingles – F
8 – Matthew Dellavedova – G
11 – Nic Kay – F
12 – Aron Baynes – F
20 – David Barlow – F
34 – Jock Landale – C
55 – Mitch Creek – F
CANADA
Appearance: 14th
Best result: 6 (1978, 1982)
Star Player: Cory Joseph
Is Cory Joseph in or out? It has been a mystery for weeks, but in the end, after an incredible series of withdrawals, Canada will have at least one of its big names. The new Sacramento Kings’ point guard joined the team directly in China, skipping almost all of training camp. But his presence is too important to enhance Canada’s chances. Originally, Joseph would’ve been Jamal Murray’s back-up. Now he must become the go-to-guy of a team that, by the way, will have to find his place in the schemes.
Supporting Cast
The only other NBA player in the roster is Orlando’s center Khem Birch that will be the starter at five. He will be surrounded with two forwards that can stretch the floor in different ways, Melvin Ejim (“our X-Factor”, said coach Nurse about him) and Kyle Wiltjer. Both have important European experience. Overseas veterans, brothers Thomas and Philip Scrubb, will complete the backcourt rotation. Kevin Pangos wasn’t that flashy with Barcelona last season, but he’s still the second-best player behind Joseph. Don’t forget about dark horses: ?ookie forward from Syracuse Oshae Brissett, signed by coach Nick Nurse for the Raptors, and the dynamic duo of point guard Andrew Nembhard.
Overview
Canada took a major hit with a massive amount of withdrawals. They moved from Murray, Barrett, Wiggins, Thompson, and Olynyk to a team with little chances to survive the first group stage. Australia and Lithuania clearly look better now. But the starless team may be the best team for the reigning NBA champion Nick Nurse. He is probably the best possible coach in this situation.
Roster
1 – Kevin Pangos – G
3 – Melvin Ejim – F
4 – Brady Heslip – G
6 – Cory Joseph – G
10 – Kaza Kajami-Keane – G
11 – Andrew Nembhard – G
13 – Conor Morgan – F
17 – Owen Klassen – C
21 – Thomas Scrubb – F
23 – Phil Scrubb – G
24 – Khem Birch – C
33 – Kyle Wiltjer – C
LITHUANIA
Appearance: 5th
Best result: Bronze (2010)
Star Player: Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas is a regular member of the Greens. Always has been. His performances were not always that brilliant (do you remember Rio 2016?) but you can’t think of Lithuania without him. The trade from Toronto to Memphis (19.9 points and 10.7 boards in 19 games with the Grizzlies) served him well. But was it worth the chip with the Raptors? Anyway, he will be one of the best centers in the competition once again.
Supporting Cast
Lithuania can count on a deep rotation with many international experienced players. Domantas Sabonis completes the Baltic version of the Twin Towers. Arvydas’ son will start alongside Valanciunas forming one of the strongest frontcourt duos of the competition. The former Knick Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Jonas Maciulis, and Paulius Jankunas will occupy most of the time in two forward positions. “Zalgiris block” (Ulanovas, Grigonis, Milaknis, Lekavicius) is completed with the floor general Mantas Kalnietis, who was always great in Lithuanian uniform.
Overview
Can Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis play together? At the 2016 Olympics, the duo did not work, but both men improved since then. Motjejunas and Gudaitis’ absences will oblige coach Adomaitis to often use lineups with Kuzminskas or Maciulis at four. This could be a better fit for all. In general, Lithuania has the talent to be a medal contender, but it will not be surprising if they were eliminated in the first phase. Canada is shot and bled nearly to death but still can be very dangerous.
Roster
5 – Mantas Kalnietis – G
8 – Jonas Maciulis – F
10 – Renaldas Seibutis- G
11 – Domantas Sabonis – C
13 – Paulius Jankunas – F
17 – Jonas Valanciunas – C
19 – Mindaugas Kuzminskas – F
31 – Rokas Giedraitis – F
40 – Marius Grigonis – G
43 – Lukas Lekavicius – G
51 – Arnas Butkevicius – F
92 – Edgaras Ulanovas – F
SENEGAL
Appearance: 5th
Best result: 14 (1978)
Star Player: Maurice Ndour
Someway somehow Tacko Fall could’ve played for his home country this summer. But for now, finding a permanent place in the NBA is what he should do first. Gorgui Dieng was a more realistic option for Senegalese national team but he will also be unavailable. That leaves us with European-based players. Maurice Ndour has the most impressive resume of all. Started his career with Real Madrid, then had some highlights in Knicks uniform and then chose Russian club UNICS Kazan to raise his stock. He is still the highlight machine.
Supporting Cast
Senegal is an African powerhouse for a reason. Bunch of Senegalese players competes in major European leagues. The majority of them are bigs, including Mouhammad Faye (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia), Hamady N’Diaye (Gravellines-Dunqurke, France), and Youssoupha Ndoye (Nanterre, France). If something good comes out of this Chinese trip for Senegal it will definitely be because of their massive frontcourt.
Overview
The “Group of Death” won’t bring you life. Senegal is the first out of these four to fall at the battleground. The African team can bring heat here and there but it won’t be enough to confront big dogs. Getting a spot in the wild card Olympic tournament is what Senegal players should concentrate on.
Roster
1 – Maurice Ndour – F
2 – Djibril Thiam – F
5 – Xane Dalmeida – G
7 – Pape Diop – F
10 – Lamina Sambe – G
11 – Mouhammad Faye – F
13 – Hamady Ndiaye – C
15 – Youssoupha Ndoye – F
25 – Momar Ndoye – F
28 – Ibrahima Faye – F
31 – Babacar Toure – C
35 – Makhtar Gueye – G
