<\/p>\n
The FIBA World Cup is just over a week away from tipping off, with Australia in action on Friday against Finland while a heavyweight clash pins Canada against France.<\/p>\n
While some big names will not be available for the tournament there will still be plenty of NBA players taking part. <\/p>\n
Here, foxsports.com.au <\/i>gives the rundown on which current NBA players will be suiting up and which ones have already ruled themselves out.<\/p>\n
FIBA Basketball World Cup | Starts Aug 25. Watch every Boomers, Team USA and Finals game FREE & LIVE on ESPN with Kayo Freebies. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly<\/a> ><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n BOOMERS ULTIMATE GUIDE: Big Giddey call and selection \u2018no-brainer\u2019 as brutal cut nears<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Boomers smash Venezuela in warm up game | 00:56<\/p>\n Group A<\/b><\/p>\n The Dominican Republic <\/b>will be headlined by Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns<\/b>, who has plenty of motivation as he plays for the national team for the first time in 10 years.<\/p>\n Towns gets his Dominican heritage from his late mother Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who died in 2020 from coronavirus complications. <\/p>\n Honouring her memory and his heritage is just one of the reasons that the All-NBA big man felt this was the right time to suit up for the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n Getting some playing time before the upcoming 2023-24 NBA campaign also factored into his decision, having struggled at times after returning from a calf injury for Minnesota last season.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a lot that went into the decision,\u201d Towns told ESPN<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n \u201cThe timing is right. I didn\u2019t put as much stress on my body this last season because of the injury. I\u2019m feeling great now, I\u2019m 100% and feeling like myself again. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a perfect time to work on some things in my game. And with my mom\u2019s passing, I felt an urgency to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, undrafted sophomore guard Lester Quinones <\/b>will also join Anthony-Towns as the only other NBA player on the Dominican Republic squad.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old impressed for the Golden State Warriors in this year\u2019s Summer League, leading the team in scoring after a rookie season that saw him play just four games.<\/p>\n Italy<\/b> is the favourite to come out of Group A, with Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio <\/b>coming off his rookie season where he averaged 6.3 points 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists.<\/p>\n Fontecchio though has proven himself more than capable of stepping up on the international stage, averaging 19.4 points per game to finish as Italy\u2019s leading scorer at last year\u2019s EuroBasket.<\/p>\n Jazz teammate Jordan Clarkson<\/b>, meanwhile, is the only NBA representative suiting up for the Philippines<\/b>, who are one of three co-hosts for the World Cup.<\/p>\n Angola<\/b> is yet to announce their roster.<\/p>\n Group B<\/b><\/p>\n There is no Nikola Jokic <\/b>for Serbia<\/b>, with the reigning NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP taking a well-earned break from basketball.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Jokic, we had several conversations, and I must say they were some of the best conversations I\u2019ve had with players who couldn\u2019t make it to the roster,\u201d Serbia coach Svetislav Pesic said in July, according to MozzartSport<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s physically and mentally exhausted, not feeling ready to take responsibility at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n FIBA Basketball World Cup | Starts Aug 25. Watch every Boomers, Team USA and Finals game FREE & LIVE on ESPN with Kayo Freebies. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly<\/a> ><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Even without the Denver Nuggets superstar, Serbia are favourites to progress from Group B and have plenty of NBA experience to lean on in Atlanta\u2019s Bogdan Bogdanovic<\/b>, Oklahoma City\u2019s Aleksej Pokusevski<\/b>, Miami\u2019s Nikola Jovic <\/b>and Philadelphia\u2019s Filip Petrusev<\/b>.<\/p>\n Vasilije Micic<\/b> will also be sitting out for Serbia though as he prepares for his debut season in the NBA, having signed a three-year contract worth $23.5 million with Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for Micic, we had lengthy discussions, and he requested to skip this year. After a long season, dealing with injuries and signing with Oklahoma, he was unfortunate to sustain a shoulder injury during his stay there, and now he\u2019s recovering,\u201d Pesic said.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, South Sudan <\/b>is yet to announce their roster for the World Cup while Puerto Rico <\/b>has no current NBA players, with Jose Alvardo <\/b>unavailable. <\/p>\n The Pelicans guard suffered a stress reaction in his right tibia that brought his 2022-23 season to an early end and is still not right to compete.<\/p>\n \u201cThe tibia injury in his right leg delayed his recovery this summer. His team performed an MRI last week and saw that his injury has not fully healed,\u201d Puerto Rico\u2019s general manager Carlos Arroyo said.<\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s Kyle Anderson<\/b> is the only NBA player suiting up for China <\/b>after the 29-year-old forward obtained Chinese citizenship through naturalisation in late July.<\/p>\n Anderson has been learning some Chinese while his teammates have been also learning some English to try and better build a bond within the playing group.<\/p>\n Group C<\/b><\/p>\n United States<\/b> is of course the overwhelming favourite to come out of this group and take out the entire tournament despite being without a number of NBA superstars.<\/p>\n No members of the Tokyo Olympics squad will be playing in the FIBA World Cup while some of the NBA\u2019s other biggest names have their focus on Paris next year.<\/p>\n There were some notable omissions too, with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young <\/b>left out of the team as the likes of Anthony Edwards<\/b>, Austin Reaves<\/b>, Jalen Brunson<\/b>, Josh Hart <\/b>and Tyrese Haliburton<\/b> got the nod instead.<\/p>\n While the United States line-up may not be as strong as it could theoretically be, that in itself does present an opportunity for other countries to potentially challenge for the crown.<\/p>\n It also has sparked debate within basketball circles as to whether this team will live up to its high expectations ahead of the tournament. Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas definitely doesn\u2019t seem to think they will.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see that list they got, sorry-ass group,\u201d Arenas said last week on his podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m happy for the people who make it, it\u2019s cool for some of the guys who got there, some of them probably don\u2019t even start on their teams, I don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t want to look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n Arenas was speaking in the broader context of Young missing on selection and reports suggesting concerns with his fit in the team were behind the Hawks star being left out.<\/p>\n This is still a team stacked with NBA experience, including young rising Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero<\/b>, breakout Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges <\/b>and the more experienced Brandon Ingram<\/b>.<\/p>\n Rounding out the team is Josh Hart<\/b>, Jaren Jackson Jr.<\/b>, Cameron Johnson<\/b>, Walker Kessler<\/b> and Bobby Portis<\/b>.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Greece <\/b>will be represented by Milwaukee\u2019s Thanasis Antetokounmpo <\/b>but brother Giannis <\/b>will not be suiting up.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the conclusion of my NBA season, I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set,\u201d Antetokounmpo wrote earlier this month.<\/p>\n \u201cBut after months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff, it is clear that I am not ready to compete at the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup. This was not a choice, but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career.<\/p>\n \u201cI am extremely disappointed in this outcome, but this was a decision made with the medical staff. \u2026 My personal and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics Games, and it will be an honour to represent my National Team next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Also in Group C is New Zealand<\/b>, who do not have any NBA players with Memphis Grizzlies centre Steven Adams <\/b>left out due to injury concerns while Jordan <\/b>is yet to announce their roster.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were having good and productive conversations with Steven earlier and he was considering a lot of things,\u201d Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he suffered a pretty serious knee injury. We just wish him all the best to get back on his feet and for playing again in his next NBA season.\u201d<\/p>\n Adams went down with a knee sprain in January and despite optimism that he could eventually return, the Memphis big man ended up missing the regular season and playoffs.<\/p>\n Harden slams Sixers boss as “liar” | 00:24<\/p>\n Group D<\/b><\/p>\n Lithuania<\/b> are the favourites to come out of this group, boasting the most NBA experience with New Orleans Pelicans big man Jonas Valanciunas <\/b>and Philadelphia\u2019s Azuolas Tubelis<\/b>.<\/p>\n They will be without All-Star Domantas Sabonis <\/b>though, with the Sacramento Kings forward ruled out of the tournament as he focuses on his \u201ccontract and health\u201d according to coach Kazys Maksvytis.<\/p>\n It comes after Sabonis underwent surgery on his right thumb this offseason. <\/p>\n Elsewhere, Montenegro <\/b>will bring plenty of size to the World Cup including Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic<\/b>.<\/p>\n Egypt <\/b>and Mexico <\/b>are the other two teams in this group, although neither have any NBA players on the roster.<\/p>\n Group E<\/b><\/p>\n Australia<\/b> has named one of their most talented squads in recent memory even without former first overall pick Ben Simmons and still have to cut one player before the World Cup. <\/p>\n There is a perfect mix of youth and experience in their 13-man squad, led by breakout Oklahoma City guard Josh Giddey<\/b> along with Boomers heroes Patty Mills <\/b>and Joe Ingles<\/b>.<\/p>\n Adding plenty of versatility to Brian Goorjian\u2019s squad are Dyson Daniels<\/b>, Xavier Cooks<\/b>, Josh Green<\/b> and Matisse Thybulle <\/b>among others.<\/p>\n Dante Exum<\/b>, meanwhile, is back in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks and back in the green and gold as he looks to back up a strong showing at the Tokyo Olympics. <\/p>\n Elsewhere, Jock Landale <\/b>and Jack White<\/b> add some much-needed size and were on the move this offseason, joining the Rockets and Thunder respectively.<\/p>\n FIBA Basketball World Cup | Starts Aug 25. Watch every Boomers, Team USA and Finals game FREE & LIVE on ESPN with Kayo Freebies. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly<\/a> ><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n The biggest challenge for the Boomers comes in the form of a star-studded Germany <\/b>team, headlined by Toronto\u2019s Dennis Schroder <\/b>as well as Orlando rising star Franz Wagner<\/b>, brother Moritz <\/b>and Indiana\u2019s Daniel Theis<\/b>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Phoenix free agency addition Yuta Watanabe <\/b>will suit up for Japan <\/b>while breakout Jazz star Lauri Markkanen <\/b>leads the charge for Finland <\/b>to round out Group E.<\/p>\n Japan will be without Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura<\/b>, who withdrew from the World Cup to \u201cgive priority\u201d to his future NBA career.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very difficult decision to make, but after last season and the long playoffs, I decided to give priority to my future NBA career,\u201d Hachimura said.<\/p>\n Group F<\/b><\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic <\/b>will lead Slovenia<\/b>, looking to build on a successful Tokyo Olympics campaign where they went down to Australia in the bronze medal game.<\/p>\n NBA veteran Goran Dragic <\/b>won\u2019t be playing alongside him though, confirming in June that he would be sitting out the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be at home,\u201d Dragic told Bojan Brezovac from MozzartSport<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to play. I had enough. I played for 16 years [for the national team], plus the NBA and everything else. Maybe I will go to Japan to support the national team, but I will hardly play.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Georgia will be playing in their first FIBA World Cup with a team featuring European league stars and NBA talents, including Goga Bitadze <\/b>(Orlando Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili<\/b> (San Antonio Spurs)<\/p>\n Cape Verde<\/b> and Venezuela <\/b>are the other two teams in this group. Neither have any active NBA players on their roster.<\/p>\n Delly dropped from Boomers WC Squad | 01:06<\/p>\n Group G<\/b><\/p>\n Spain<\/b>, currently the No.1 ranked team in the world according to FIBA, will have plenty to play for as they look to build on recent success at the 2019 World Cup and EuroBasket 2022.<\/p>\n Spain were crowned winners at both tournaments and have two current NBA players in <\/p>\n Santi Aldama <\/b>(Memphis Grizzlies) and Usman Garuba <\/b>(Atlanta Hawks).<\/p>\n There is plenty of NBA experience elsewhere too, with Willy <\/b>and Juancho Hernangomez <\/b>joined by Rudy Fernandez<\/b> in the preliminary squad.<\/p>\n There is also one glaring omission, with guard Ricky Rubio <\/b>recently announcing he would be taking a break from basketball to instead focus on his mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cI have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health,\u201d Rubio said. <\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision. Today #LaFamilia makes more sense than ever. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Rubio was the 2019 World Cup MVP, with young guard Juan Nunez added to the squad after news the Cleveland Cavaliers veteran would not be participating.<\/p>\n Ex-Cavaliers teammate Raul Neto<\/b>, who signed with Fenerbah\u00e7e Beko earlier this month, will suit up for Brazil alongside fellow past NBA players Marcelinho Huertas<\/b>, Yago Mateus <\/b>and Bruno Caboclo<\/b>.<\/p>\n Cote d\u2019Ivoire <\/b>and Iran<\/b> are the other two teams in the group and have no current NBA players.<\/p>\n Group H<\/b><\/p>\n Jamal Murray<\/b> is the latest big name to pull out of the World Cup, with the championship-winning guard announcing the news on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n Murray had been participating in training camp with his Canada <\/b>teammates but said that his body needs more time to recover after a gruelling run to NBA Finals glory with the Nuggets.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,\u201d Murray said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn consultation with medical staff and the team, it\u2019s clear that additional recovery is required and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s still a dream of mine to represent Canada at the Olympics and I will support the team every step of the way as they pursue this goal.\u201d <\/p>\n This Canada team is still stacked with NBA talent, with Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/b> leading a squad that includes RJ Barrett <\/b>(New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks <\/b>(Houston Rockets), Lu Dort <\/b>(Oklahoma City Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker <\/b>(Minnesota Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk<\/b> (Utah Jazz) and Dwight Powell <\/b>(Dallas Mavericks).<\/p>\n Canada faces a stern test though in the form of a formidable France <\/b>outfit, headlined by Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert and other NBA stars including the Clippers\u2019 Nicolas Batum and Knicks\u2019 Evan Fournier.<\/p>\n Free agent Frank Ntilikina, who was most recently with the Mavericks, is also part of France\u2019s squad. <\/p>\n Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama won\u2019t be suiting up though as expected, with the French phenom instead putting all his focus into his first season at San Antonio.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would not be realistic in terms of development and not careful in terms of health,\u201d Wembanyama said in an interview with L\u2019Equipe. <\/p>\n \u201cI hope people will understand. It\u2019s frustrating for me too. The France team is still my focus. I want to win as many titles as possible with it. But I think it\u2019s a necessary sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n Latvia <\/b>won\u2019t have an easy introduction to their biggest tournament and while they have one NBA player in Davis Bertans<\/b>, they will be without their best player in Kristaps Porzingis<\/b>.<\/p>\n Porzingis is still yet to be cleared to play as he deals with plantar fasciitis over the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter several weeks of recovery and a repeat MRI examination, the plantar fasciitis of my foot still prevents me from being on the field in full readiness,\u201d he wrote. <\/p>\n \u201cThis joint decision has been made by both the medical staff and coaching staff of the national team, as well as the Celtics team \u2014 with the advice and opinion that it is now necessary to continue the recovery process.\u201d<\/p>\n Lebanon <\/b>(no NBA players) is the other team in the group.<\/p>\n HOW TO WATCH THE FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP?<\/b><\/p>\n You can catch all the action from August 25 FREE and LIVE on ESPN with Kayo Freebies.<\/p>\n Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly!<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n