The United States, Canada, Brazil, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic maintain their medal hopes alive by finishing in the top two of their respective groups in Round 1 of the Basketball World Cup.
The action is just getting started at the 2023 FIBA World Cup taking place in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan with the conclusion of the first round of group play in the world’s top basketball tournament.
Thirty-two teams entered the tournament hoping to become medalists, including seven countries of the Americas and many of the continent’s top basketball stars from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Mexico.
The teams from Canada, U.S. and Dominican Republic all finished the first round of group play undefeated to advance to Round 2 of the basketball tournament. Puerto Rico and Brazil each finished their first three games with a 2-1 record to finish second in their group and keep their medal hopes alive. Venezuela and Mexico were unfortunately unable to secure any victories in the group stage and will move on to the secondary tournament to decide the places 17-32.
The wins and point totals from Round 1 carry over into Round 2 of the tournament, with Canada and the U.S. leading Group L and Group J, respectively. Brazil joins Canada in Group L and sits in third position behind Spain with five points. Despite finishing Round 1 undefeated, the Dominican team sits in second position in Group I behind the powerhouse from Serbia. Puerto Rico joins the Dominican Republic in Group I but finds itself in fourth position with five total points and a point differential of just +6.
Canada leads all countries in the tournament with the most points per game at 108 and the greatest point differential so far at +111, led by NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett. Team USA follows closely behind with 106 ppg and a differential of +103 led by a talented roster of young NBA stars such as Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. The Dominican team is led by NBA All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns.
Second round action begins on September 1 with an exciting day of matchups across the tournament. The Dominican Republic will take on Serbia, Puerto Rico will face off against Italy, the U.S. squares up against Lithuania, Brazil tries to separate itself from Latvia and Canada faces a tough test from the defending champions from Spain.
Each team will play just two games in Round 2, with the cumulative point total and differential from all five games from Rounds 1 and 2 determining the top 2 teams from each group that will qualify for the final round that begins with the quarterfinals on September 5.
The semifinals of the tournament will then take place on September 8 followed by the bronze and gold medal finals on September 10 to conclude the tournament.
Panam Sports congratulates all of the athletes from the Americas competing at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and wish them success as they seek to bring a medal home to their country.
