The World Cup Preview: Everything you need to know

The 2023 FIBA World Cup tips off in less than a week. Teams are finishing their preparations and finalising their squads, as they look to push their case to go and win gold.

The NBL is going to be well represented on the world stage - largely through the squads of Australia, New Zealand and South Sudan, as well as a smattering of current and former stars across different nations, including Yudai Baba and Makoto Hiejima's Japan, and Tim Soares' Brazil, and Kai Sotto's Philippines.

NBL Media has previewed the tournaments of each of Australia, New Zealand and South Sudan so you're in the know come tournament time.

An overview
The Boomers have made no secret of their desire to build on the bronze medal won at the Tokyo Olympics, and with a large contingent of that side back again and hunting further international glory, you’d have to back them in.

Wins over Venezuela and South Sudan – and a loss to Brazil – on home soil farewelled the side, and as preparations have truly begun to ramp up overseas Australia registered a confidence-boosting victory over traditional international powerhouses France, who will also expect to be in the medal hunt.

The roster
Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Dante Exum, Chris Goulding, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, Xavier Cooks, Jack White, Nick Kay, Duop Reath.

The group games
*All fixtures are displayed in AEST
vs Finland – Friday, August 25 at 6pm
vs Germany – Sunday, August 27 at 5:30pm
vs Japan – Tuesday, August 29 at 9:10pm

Who’s missing?
Sam Froling, Will McDowell-White and Keanu Pinder were all cut from the initial squad of 18 players, while Olympic bronze medal winners Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker were also left out. 

Projected starting centre Jock Landale suffered an ankle injury in the warm-up game against South Sudan and will not take part in the competition.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sitting here this morning knowing the Boomers are about to take off to Japan and I’m absolutely kicking myself I’m not right there beside them. All the build up and preparation we go through as athletes just to have it yanked away 12 hours beforehand sucks. Good Vibes Only Always</p>&mdash; Jock Landale (@LandaleJock) <a href="https://twitter.com/LandaleJock/status/1692337454416802259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Olympic medalists Aron Baynes and Nathan Sobey are also absent, while NBA star Ben Simmons opted against throwing his hat into the ring for selection as he recovers from a back injury.

The NBL links
Australia’s initial squad was absolutely stacked with current NBL talent, but now only Boomers veteran and Melbourne United star Chris Goulding remains. That being said, only nine of the 12 players selected have played in the NBL during their careers. 

Giddey won the competition’s Rookie of the Year award in his sole season as a Next Star for the Adelaide 36ers in 2021, while Xavier Cooks is the reigning league MVP and a two-time champion.

Nick Kay earned two All-NBL First Team selections and two titles with Perth before heading to Japan, and Joe Ingles started his career with three seasons at South Dragons.

Joe Ingles representing South Dragons in the NBL in 2008.

Patty Mills played a handful of games for the Melbourne Tigers during the 2011 NBA lockout, Duop Reath played one season with Illawarra between stints in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Finally, Jack White played two seasons with Melbourne United following the end of his collegiate career at Duke and prior to being named an NBA champion with Denver this past season.

Players to watch

Patty Mills
When Patty Mills pulls on the Boomers singlet, he seems to just come alive.

This has been his team to run for the past near decade, but with the emergence of star guard Josh Giddey onto the scene this World Cup could be seen as something of a passing of the baton ahead of the next Olympics.

He’s struggled with his shot in the team’s warm-up games, but you only need to look at his incredible 42-point performance in the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal game against Luka Doncic and Slovenia to remind yourself of just how lethal Mills can be on the international stage.

Duop Reath
Following his exceptional performances at the recent NBA Summer League with Portland, there were whispers that Duop Reath could well have played himself into an NBA contract.

That, unfortunately, hasn’t eventuated just yet, but the South Sudanese-born big has been given further opportunity to impress due to the injury suffered by Landale in the ‘Boomers vs World’ series – and this time it’s on the world stage.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Duop Reath caught a body ?? <br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/wwos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wwos</a>) <a href="https://t.co/LwIT4FAXrM">pic.twitter.com/LwIT4FAXrM</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1693146622023328055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nick Kay, Xavier Cooks and Jack White all possess the rebounding prowess, strength and interior nous to be able to chop into the centre position, but Reath is the only player on the roster who calls that position his home.

Against some of the monster European bodies Australia could well face in the latter stages of the tournament, Reath is going to be a crucial player.

*All Australia games will be broadcast live on ESPN to Australian audiences.

An overview
Whenever the latest edition of the FIBA World Cup rolls around, New Zealand basketball rightly reminisces about its fairytale fourth place finish back in 2002.

Pero Cameron – who was named to the All-Star Five in the 2002 edition of the tournament – is back leading his side on the world stage once again, after assisting Paul Henare in the 2019 tournament.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Snaps from Tall Blacks camp today, with the first day of the FIBA Solidarity Cup in China underway... and a chance for coach Pero to re-unite with Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming.<br><br>? 21 Aug - NZ vs Italy, 9.30pm NZT<br>? Watch on Courtside 1891 App<br><br>? Todd Wolfe <a href="https://t.co/8LaYRXooBO">pic.twitter.com/8LaYRXooBO</a></p>&mdash; Tall Blacks (@TallBlacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/TallBlacks/status/1693087982256001449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Tall Blacks have endured a rocky pre-tournament run. They have so far split a two-game series with Japan before suffering heavy defeats to Canada and China.

Their final two games were a 10-point win over Chinese club side Shenzhen and a 10-point loss to world number ten ranked Italy.

The roster
Finn Delany, Flynn Cameron, Hyrum Harris, Isaac Fotu, Izayah Le’Afa, Jordan Ngatai, Reuben Te Rangi, Shea Ili, Taylor Britt, Tohi Smith-Milner, Walter Brown, Yanni Wetzell

The group games
*All fixtures are displayed in AEST
vs USA – Saturday, August 26 at 10:40pm
vs Jordan – Monday, August 28 at 6:45pm
vs Greece – Wednesday, August 30 at 10:40pm

Who’s missing?
After being included in the initial squad, star guard brothers Corey and Tai Webster both elected to pull themselves out of selection for ‘personal reasons’.

Former New Zealand Breaker Ethan Rusbatch was omitted from the squad due to injury.

The NBL links
While the bulk of the squad has – at one point – represented the New Zealand Breakers, Tall Blacks talent is currently spread throughout the NBL like never before.

Finn Delany has just completed a high-profile return to the Breakers following a successful season in the German Basketball Bundesliga with Bonn, and will link up with Dan Fotu and Izayah Le’Afa at last season’s runner-up.

Flynn Cameron has just completed a successful collegiate career and will make his professional bow with Melbourne in NBL24 alongside Shea Ili, while Sam Timmins and Hyrum Harris have both moved NBL clubs ahead of the new season, to Sydney and Perth respectively.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Flynn Cameron takes it to the HOUSE! ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAAsiaCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAAsiaCup</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/TallBlacks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TallBlacks</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/z04eMURDaL">pic.twitter.com/z04eMURDaL</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1550128436147941379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Reuben Te Rangi is one of just a handful of senior rostered players from NBL23 to have remained at South East Melbourne.

Jordan Ngatai previously turned out for both New Zealand and Cairns, while Isaac Fotu also formerly played for the Breakers.

Yanni Wetzell spent time with both the Breakers and Phoenix, while Walter Brown is currently a development player with Tasmania.

Tohi Smith-Milner is currently unattached following spending NBL23 alongside Te Rangi at the Phoenix.

Taylor Britt played 29 games over two seasons for Perth.

Players to watch

Shea Ili
Melbourne was a different proposition for opposition sides when Shea Ili was on the floor last season, but consistent concussion problems limited him to just 18 appearances as United missed the post-season.

The fact Ili was still nominated for the Defensive Player of the Year award ahead of stars like Justin Simon despite, playing such a limited amount of games, is a testament to just how effective he is on the court.

This World Cup will not only offer a chance for the star guard to hopefully put those injury problems behind him, but to well and truly establish himself as one of the top backcourt defensive players in international basketball.

Reuben Te Rangi
At South East Melbourne Reuben, Te Rangi has often been used in a backup or secondary role on offence, but with the Tall Blacks the former NBL champion is placed in a position where he can well and truly thrive.

He’s pulled together a handful of strong performances for the side in its warmup games so far. He dropped a team-high 13 points against Italy, scored a game-high 20 points in the win over Japan, and added 15 points in the defeat to the same opposition.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?? The Tall Blacks have registered a 94-75 victory against Japan in the 2nd game of their Ota-based friendly series!<br><br>?? Te Rangi 20 pts &amp; 6 reb, Le’Afa 15 pts &amp; 6 ast, Cameron 15, Delany 13 &amp; Harris with 10 &amp; 5, Timmins 7.<br><br>? Game recap: <a href="https://t.co/1cSrKAE5id">https://t.co/1cSrKAE5id</a> <a href="https://t.co/2OYQ0GlrSe">pic.twitter.com/2OYQ0GlrSe</a></p>&mdash; Tall Blacks (@TallBlacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/TallBlacks/status/1687459399110148097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

We all know Te Rangi is capable of getting a hot hand in the NBL, but it remains to be seen as to whether he can do it on the world stage as well.

 

An overview
A World Cup debut looms for South Sudan, and the Bright Stars have captured the hearts of their nation en route to the world’s biggest stage.

South Sudan participated in the ‘Boomers vs World’ series ahead of jetting off for the tournament, and while they suffered defeats to Brazil and Australia – and defeated Venezuela – they showcased the athleticism and desire that is going to make them a difficult matchup for any team that crosses their path at the World Cup.

The roster
*Three cuts to be made
Junior Madut, Nuni Omot, Carlik Jones, Kuany Kuany, Marial Shayok, Deng Acuoth, Majok Deng, Peter Jok, Khaman Maluach, Koch Bar, Wenyen Gabriel, Sunday Dech

The group games
*All fixtures are displayed in AEST
vs Puerto Rico – Saturday, August 26 at 6pm
vs China – Monday, August 28 at 6pm
vs Serbia – Wednesday, August 30 at 6pm

Who’s missing?
The injury bug has bit the South Sudanese squad hard ahead of its inaugural World Cup bow.

NBL stars Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Bul Kuol, Kings development player Jackson Makoi, and Padiet Wang, JT Thor and Emmanuel Malou have all sustained injuries that have kept them out of the extended squad.

Uncontracted NBL free agent Deng Deng is also missing from the side.

The NBL links
It would be fair to assume most Australian fans will also be rooting for South Sudan at this upcoming World Cup, such is the impressiveness of its story and the NBL links that are held within the squad.

Current NBL players Mangok Mathiang (New Zealand), Junior Madut and Majok Deng (Tasmania), and Sunday Dech (Adelaide) are all likely to make the final list of 12, while a trio of former NBL stars will be looking to earn their place in Manila alongside them.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mangok Mathiang once again turning into Man????? Mathiang ?<br><br>Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> action live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/0HiqaXAvGx">pic.twitter.com/0HiqaXAvGx</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1585565735274696704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former King Kuany Kuany, NBL23 Adelaide centre Deng Acuoth and ex-Perth wing Mathiang Muo have all been included in the squad, with Acuoth Knox’s recent NBL1 National Championships triumph to link up with the national side.

Players to watch

Khaman Maluach
Remember the name Khaman Maluach.

The 16-year-old centre only made his senior international debut against Venezuela as part of the ‘Boomers vs World’ campaign, but announced himself to the world when he took to the court against Australia the following night.

The already seven-footer played just over six minutes off the bench, but finished the game with seven points, a pair of steals and – perhaps most tellingly – a monster jam that was contested by NBA talents Jack White and Dyson Daniels.

Whether he makes the final squad or not remains to be seen, but Maluach isn’t just a player to keep your eye on at the World Cup. He’s a player to keep your eye on for the next few years.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Impressive showing for 7-foot-2, 16-year old Khaman Maluach vs Australia, reiterating why he&#39;s considered an elite prospect as early as the 2025 NBA Draft. The NBA Academy Africa product had 7 points, 2 steals in 7 minutes while vying to make South Sudan&#39;s FIBA World Cup squad. <a href="https://t.co/4flZg88yhT">pic.twitter.com/4flZg88yhT</a></p>&mdash; Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1692241332373188836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Carlik Jones
The reigning NBA G-League MVP experienced a career breakout year in 2023, and a strong showing at the World Cup seems like the next notch on the belt for 25-year-old point guard Carlik Jones.

Jones played five games in the 2022 NBA season with Dallas and Denver on a pair of 10-day contracts, and after impressing with the Windy City Bulls in the G-League this season, he earned a call-up to Chicago where he played seven total games.

His two-way contract was then converted into a standard NBA contract.

Jones looms as a real leader of this line-up, both on and off the court, and how he conducts himself could go a long way to establishing how the South Sudanese basketball program is viewed for years to come.

Other former NBL players at the World Cup
Yudai Baba (Japan)
Makoto Hiejima (Japan)
Zhou Qi (China)
Kai Sotto (Philippines)
Tim Soares (Brazil)
Michael Carrera (Venezuela)
Kendrick Perry (Montenegro)