2023 FIBA World Cup Favorites: The Young Americans Versus Everybody
Team USA Still The Team To Beat Despite Using JV Squad
FIBA’s decision to do the World Cup a year before the Summer Olympics has led to the US Men’s National Basketball Team utilizing a younger roster that does not include your typical NBA stars. If you love Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and/or Kevin Durant, then it’s tough luck. Instead, lean on Antman and Hillbilly Mamba to push Team USA as the 2023 FIBA World Cup favorites.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup Favorites per the Odds
Team USA or Bust?
Even though the rest of the world has narrowed the gap in basketball games, the USA still has the clear-cut best talent. There was a time when auto-betting USA, even at ridiculously lofty lines, was “easy money.” The USA is still favored to come out on top at -130. But the team does not have its top-tier basketball stars.
In fact, only four players on the current team have an NBA All-Star appearance: Edwards, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Ingram, and Tyrese Haliburton. Others like Jalen Brunson and Paolo Banchero have won other accolades, while Bobby Portis is an NBA champion.
Here is Team USA’s 12-man roster:
- G Jalen Brunson
- G Anthony Edwards
- F Mikal Bridges
- F Brandon Ingram
- F/C Jaren Jackson Jr.
- G Tyrese Haliburton
- G Austin Reaves
- G/F Josh Hart
- F Cameron Johnson
- F Paolo Banchero
- F Bobby Portis
- C Walker Kessler
Oh, Canada? Team USA’s Biggest Threats
Watch out, America. Canada is not just kicking butt during winter. The Canadians have now assembled its best-ever basketball team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The “Canucks” have been the most impressive team, with 30-point blowouts over France and Lebanon. The former was supposed to be a title contender.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is arguably the best player in the World Cup, and he leads a team that just dropped a tournament-high 128 points in its last game. Canada is +600 to win the tournament and is now among the 2023 FIBA World Cup favorites with the USA, Spain, and Serbia.
Spain and Serbia are also unbeaten after their first two games. Both are listed at 10-1 to win the tournament. The former does not have many notable NBA players, though the Hernangomez brothers, Willy and Juancho, are do-it-all forwards who lead a deep and well-connected roster.
Serbia also does not have two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. But it’s still brimming with NBA-caliber talent like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Jovic.
Star Power: Can Doncic Power Slovenia?
Not far behind on the odds is Luka Doncic’s Slovenia. At 12-1, this team may be able to make it to the championship game against one of the above teams. Doncic can fill up the stat sheet and should lead the tournament in scoring when all is said and done.
Slovenia is not among the 2023 FIBA World Cup favorites due to the perceived lack of depth in this team. But Doncic has plenty of experience carrying a “shallow” team deep into tournaments.
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