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NBA Offseason Weekly: Emerging Stars Headline Betting Favorite in FIBA World Cup
Are you itching for basketball? Well, you’re in luck. The FIBA World Cup begins Aug. 25, taking place through Sept. 10. Plenty of the NBA’s stars will be on display in the World Cup.
Basketball has expanded its reach in recent years, becoming an international game. However, most of the best players still hail from America. Las Vegas odds have tabbed the United States as the favorite for the World Cup. Not much of a surprise there. Let’s look at which NBA players are featured on the USA’s roster. What are notable teams that could take down the United States?
USA Roster Injected With Youth
America’s squad will showcase the NBA’s future. The roster mostly features emerging stars. Check out the full roster:
- Forward Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Forward Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets
- Guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Guard Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Guard Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Guard Josh Hart, New York Knicks
- Forward Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
- Center Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
- Forward Cam Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Center Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
- Forward Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks
- Guard Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
This is a pretty underwhelming roster for the United States. Think about the number of superstars that are not participating, such as Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. It’s a very young roster, featuring five players that are 23 or younger. Nine of the 12 players are 26 or younger.
America still has the most star power, though. Haliburton and Edwards come off their first NBA All-Star appearances in the 2022-23 season. Banchero is the reigning Rookie of the Year. Ingram averaged a career-high 24.7 points last season. Jackson also earned All-Star honors for the first time and won Defensive Player of the Year. Brunson (24 points) and Bridges (20.1 points) also averaged career highs in points per game in the 2022-23 season.
.@mikal_bridges for the LEAD 🥶
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/v7MeFg64ui
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 20, 2023
The roster has some clear outliers. How in the world did Hart make the team? He mostly played a bench role last season. Kessler is another surprise, as he started in only 40 games in his rookie season. I guess it shows the USA got desperate to fill the roster. The FIBA World Cup simply doesn’t draw much interest from American players.
Still, there’s no other country that stacks up to the American roster. The USA will likely always be the sport betting favorite. Which countries could be the best competition?
Canada, Germany Sleeper Picks?
Slovenia will feature the best player in the tournament – Luka Doncic. He is poised for monster numbers in the World Cup. Slovenia could be a one-man show, as Vlatko Cancar and Edo Muric will not play. Both have been key players for Slovenia.
Doncic could be chasing records. Oscar Schmidt of Brazil holds the World Cup record at 34.6 points per game. Despite Doncic’s presence, the sportsbook does not view Slovenia as a serious contender (+1600).
France (+900), Australia (+1000) and Spain (+1200) are potential contenders to win the World Cup. France and Australia feature notable NBA players. Rudy Gobert, Evan Fourier, and Nicolas Batum lead the French. Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Matisse Thybulle, and Joe Ingles form an intriguing Australia roster.
But can any of these teams really take down the United States? Canada (+900) could be the best bet to spoil the Americans’ title run. Guard Shai Gilgeous–Alexander will be one of the best players in the tournament. He comes off a superb NBA season, averaging 31.4 points. Canada also features RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort.
Germany, priced at +2200 to win the tournament, could be the best dark horse pick. The roster features several NBA players, including Dennis Schroder, Franz Wager and Daniel Theis. Germany also gave the United States a run from its money in an exhibition on Aug. 20. The Americans needed a 16-point second-half comeback to secure the win.
Will the USA cruise to the World Cup title, or will a squad pull off the surprise upset? Be sure to place your sport bets for the 2023 FIBA World Cup at BetUS Sportsbook. Plenty of odds are available, from game lines to futures.
