FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023: How to watch, who’s playing, and more

Aug 23, 2023, 9:00 AM

ABU DHABI, UAE - AUGUST 18: Jalen Brunson (L) of USA in action during a friendly match between USA and Greece as part of 2023 FIBA World Cup at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates on August 18, 2023. (Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

(Photo by Waleed Zein/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sactown Sports

The FIBA Basketball World Cup starts Friday, spread out across three countries for the first two rounds before all the biggest games get played in Manila to decide which nation will go home with gold medals and the Naismith Trophy on Sept. 10.

Spain is the defending champion, having won in China four years ago. The U.S. was only seventh in that tournament, its worst finish ever in a major international event. But the Americans have high hopes, and enter as the tournament favorites.

The 32 teams were split into eight different groups of four. The top two teams from each group will make the second round. The top eight teams after the second round advance to the quarterfinals.

Are there any Kings playing for Team USA?

While he wasn’t selected to the roster, Keegan Murray was a member of the Team USA Select team, the team that practices against the United States FIBA World Cup roster.

So, who is playing in the World Cup?

There are two All-NBA players in the field: Slovenia’s Luka Doncic (Dallas) and Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City).

They’re among six All-Stars from last season in the World Cup field, the others being Finland’s Lauri Markkanen (Utah) and U.S. players Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota).

How to watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup

In the U.S.: The first three U.S. games (Aug. 26, Aug. 28, Aug. 30) will be on ESPN2. Aug. 26 and Aug. 28 games will begin at 8:40 a.m. EDT; the Aug. 30 game begins at 4:40 a.m. EDT.

— There are streaming options for other games.

Opening game schedule for all 32 teams

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

Group A (at Manila): Angola vs. Italy, Dominican Republic vs. Philippines
Group D (at Manila): Mexico vs. Montenegro, Egypt vs. Lithuania
Group E (at Okinawa): Finland vs. Australia, Germany vs. Japan
Group H (at Jakarta): Latvia vs. Lebanon, Canada vs. France

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

Group B (at Manila): South Sudan vs. Puerto Rico, Serbia vs. China
Group C (at Manila): Jordan vs. Greece, U.S. vs. New Zealand
Group F (at Okinawa): Cape Verde vs. Georgia, Slovenia vs. Venezuela
Group G (at Jakarta): Iran vs. Brazil, Spain vs. Ivory Coast

Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton have been big off the bench for #USABMNT 🔥

Their @FIBAWC journey begins Sat. Aug 26 vs. New Zealand! pic.twitter.com/O0d4WEXkZ8

— NBA (@NBA) August 21, 2023