U.S. gets beneficial draw for FIBA World Cup

Team U.S.A. got a favorable draw Saturday in the quest to recapture the FIBA World Cup, though the Americans have a possible meeting with Giannis Antetokounmpo when they deal with Greece early in the event.The draw for the

32-team basketball tournament, which ranges from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, was held in Manila on Saturday. The World Cup will be co-hosted by the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.The Americans, who will be led by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for the very first time, will open Group C swimming pool play in Manila versus New Zealand on Aug. 26 before playing Greece on Aug. 28 and then Jordan on Aug. 30. Group Teams(world ranking )A Italy (10 ), Dominican Rep.(23 ), Philippines(

40), Angola ( 41) B Serbia (6 ), Puerto Rico (20 ),
China (27 ), South Sudan( 62)C United States(2), Greece (9 ), New Zealand (26 ),
Jordan (33 )D Lithuania (8 ) , Montenegro (18 ), Mexico (31 ),
Egypt (55 )E Australia (3 ) , Germany (11 ), Finland (24 ),
Japan (36 )F Slovenia (7 ) , Venezuela (17 ), Georgia (32 ),
Cape Verde (64 ) G Spain (1 ), Brazil (13 ),
Iran (22 ), Ivory Coast (42 ) H France (5 ), Canada (15 ),
Latvia (29 ), Lebanon (43 ) A-D: Manila; E-F: Okinawa; G-H: Jakarta Maybe more important, the way the draw fell, the Americans have the potential to prevent facing protecting champ Spain, Olympic silver medalist France and NBA-talent packed Canada up until the semifinals.” There’s a peace of mind understanding who we’re going to play,”U.S.A. Basketball executive director Grant Hill said.”We know Greece and we understand Giannis.”Antetokounmpo hasn’t yet confirmed he will play for his nationwide group but has actually made it clear it is a concern. The Milwaukee Bucks ‘sensational early

exit from the playoffs could make it more possible.Additionally, Team U.S.A.’s top potential second-round opponents are Lithuania, presently ranked eighth worldwide, and Montenegro, ranked 18th. It avoided a few of the other higher-ranked and dangerous opponents from Europe such as Luka Doncic-led Slovenia and Nikola Jokic-led Serbia.Unlike in the most recent World Cup in China where the U.S. had to travel countless miles across the country and wound up a frustrating seventh, the draw put the U.S. in exact same arena in Manila for every game.Editor’s Picks

1 Associated France and Canada got the hardest draw among the competitors, being placed into the very same group with pool-play games in Jakarta, Indonesia.France beat the U.S. in the 2019 World Cup in addition to in swimming pool play in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Prospective No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama has expressed an interest to play together with international star big man Rudy Gobert, which would give France a controling front line.The French will open the World Cup in a crucial game versus

Canada, which might have All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plus essential players Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Lu Dort and Dillon Brooks. National Collegiate Gamer of the Year Zach Edey of Purdue is also anticipated to be on the team.It was not the kindest draw for Spain, either. Drawn into the exact same swimming pool as a strong Brazilian team, Spain will need to potentially play both Canada and France in the second round to combat its way to the quarterfinals.It might be argued that Spain, France and Canada have three of the five most gifted groups worldwide and among them will not make it to the quarterfinals to have a chance at a medal. Group USA, possibly fortunate to wait 2,000 miles away, will be interested spectators.Australia, the No. 3-ranked group on the planet and the Olympic bronze medalist, drew a tough group with Germany and Lauri Markkanen-led Finland for games to be played in Okinawa.The Aussies likewise were drawn into a possibly high-interest side of the bracket with Slovenia, which would be a rematch of the bronze-medal game in Tokyo when Patty Mills scored 42 points as Australia won its first Olympic medal. Doncic had 22 points because game for Slovenia, completing out a fantastic proving in nearly managing an upset.Both Australia and Slovenia are opposite Team USA’s side before the semifinals– if the Americans can function and take the leading position after playing 3 pool-play games and after that two second-round games as they did under this format back in 2019. There is a possibly for the U.S. to have a second-round matchup against the Dominican Republic, that made a surprising run in 2019 in China. Karl-Anthony Towns has actually said he hopes to bet the Dominicans this summertime, providing star power. Also on that side of the bracket is Italy, ranked 10th in the world.In current months, Hill has actually been consulting with prospective players for the U.S. roster, which will be created in July ahead of an early August training school. There is robust interest, Hill said, though many of the players interested are still in the playoffs and health and rest will be thought about.”We’ll have some players who are skilled in international play but likewise some players brand-new to it,”Hill stated.”Now that we understand what our opposition looks like, we can put our head down and attempt to assemble a roster that gives us a chance to win.

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