Basketball fans around the globe have enjoyed this event since yesterday, and the mood suggests a thrilling showcase that gathers some of the sport’s top talents. The tournament features 32 teams and will be hosted across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Spain remains the defending World Cup champion after defeating Argentina in the 2019 final.
From the opening day of the group stage this Friday through September 10, when the grand final and the bronze medal match are played, the schedule will unfold. The coach Sergio Scariolo leads Group G, with Brazil, Iran, and Ivory Coast presenting the main challenges. Spain will aim to top the group with its first match scheduled for Saturday against the Ivory Coast.
Every step matters, as the two best teams from this initial phase, running August 25–30, advance to the next stage, a new grouping that tests teams further. If La Familia advances through both rounds, they will reach the quarterfinals, where the eight strongest teams in the world converge.
2023 Basketball World Cup groups:
- Group A (Manila, Philippines): Angola, Philippines, Dominican Republic and Italy
- Group B (Manila, Philippines): South Sudan, China, Serbia and Puerto Rico
- Group C (Manila, Philippines): United States, Greece, Jordan and New Zealand
- Group D (Manila, Philippines): Egypt, Montenegro, Mexico and Lithuania
- Group E (Okinawa, Japan): Germany, Australia, Finland and Japan
- Group F (Okinawa, Japan): Slovenia, Georgia, Cape Verde and Venezuela
- Group G (Jakarta, Indonesia): Iran, Spain, Ivory Coast and Brazil
- Group H (Jakarta, Indonesia): Canada, Lebanon, Latvia and France
The Spanish squad, known for its deep talent pool, is regarded as a strong favorite. The 12-man roster blends veteran leadership with fresh energy, featuring stars such as Willy and Juancho Hernángomez alongside veterans like Sergio Llul, Victor Claver, Alex Abrines, and Rudy Fernández. The coaching staff also prioritizes the infusion of younger talents who aspire to reach the sport’s pinnacle on the world stage.
young talents
Names like Santi Aldama are expected to draw considerable attention at the World Cup, as the standout forward from Gran Canaria makes his stage debut in a tournament of this magnitude. At 22, Memphis Grizzlies forward Ja Morant is cited as a beacon of skill, intelligence, and maturity for his age. He is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in national basketball, and his two NBA seasons include over a hundred games and multiple medals won with the Spanish Under-18 team.
Another rising star for the Spanish squad who is already making waves in the NBA is power forward Usman Garuba, a player eager to leave a mark on this World Cup. The Azuqueca de Henares product completed his second season with the Houston Rockets, averaging 13 minutes and 3 points per game over 74 appearances. Garuba’s development from Real Madrid’s junior ranks has become part of a successful professional arc, helped by European triumphs in 2022 and a lucrative contract this summer with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks.
A third young talent set to shine is Catalan forward Joel Parra. Standing 2.01 meters tall, Parra is viewed as one of the brightest hopes of the 2000 generation. FC Barcelona secured Parra with a release clause, anticipating his potential as a forward who can also operate as a power forward. The player tallied an average of 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in last season’s Endesa League and is seen as a future mainstay for both club and country.
Finally, Jaime Pradilla, a prominent forward from Valencia Basket who produced notable performances with Tecnyconta Zaragoza, impressed with his intensity and basketball IQ during his Spanish national team stint. Although he appeared on the World Cup pre-list, Scariolo ultimately did not include him in the final 12-man roster.