2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup: Odds to Win, Preview, Prediction
Contents
This year FIBA World Cup has several teams that could end up winning the championship and shocking the USA. You could make a compelling argument that the top three players in this year’s FIBA Wolrd Cup do not play for the U.S. (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Rudy Gobert). Yet despite that, the Americans still have the most talented roster from top to bottom and they also have the tournament’s best backcourt in Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell.
The 2019 FIBA World Cup should be an extremely competitive tournament this year and realistically as many as six different teams could be viewed as favorites (USA, France, Spain, Greece, Serbia, and Australia). It should be an exciting two weeks filled with highly entertaining basketball.
Here is a look at each group of the FIBA World Cup:
Group A
China:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 30
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify (out of 24)
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 12 (out of 12)
Côte d’Ivoire:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 64
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Poland:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 25
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Venezuela:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 20
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 10
Schedule:
8/31: Poland-Venezuela, China-Côte d’Ivoire
9/2: Venezuela-Côte d’Ivoire, China-Poland
9/4 Côte d’Ivoire-Poland, China-Venezuela
Group A should be one of the most competitive groups as China will likely be viewed as the favorite with the tournament being held in their country as well as having a solid lineup led by former NBA player Yi Jianlian. After China it’s a tossup between Poland and Venezuela. Both teams are currently ranked ahead of China in the FIBA World Standings and either could upset the Chinese and win the group. The second game of the tournament is Poland vs Venezuela so it won’t take long to find out which team will be the main threat to China in Group A. Cote d’Ivoire could shock one of those three teams but as of now its hard to see them winning a game let alone actually finishing in the top two and advancing to the knockout round.
Prediction: 1. China 2. Venezuela 3. Poland 4. Côte d’Ivoire
Group B
Argentina:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 5
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 11
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 8
Korea:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 32
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 23
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Nigeria:
Notable NBA Players: Al-Farouq Aminu, Chimezie Metu, Josh Okogie
FIBA Rank: 33
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 11
Russia:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 10
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Schedule:
8/31: Russia-Nigeria, Korea-Argentina
9/2: Nigeria-Argentina, Russia-Korea
9/4: Korea-Nigeria, Russia-Argentina
Group B is one of the easier groups when it comes to figuring out who the favorites are. Despite not having any NBA players on their roster, Argentina and Russia look like the two best teams in Group B. However, if there is a darkhorse in Group B it would be Nigeria as they have three current NBA players and have looked great during their exhibition warmups. Look for the winner of Nigeria-Russia to be the team that moves on from Group B with Argentina.
Prediction: 1. Argentina 2. Nigeria 3. Russia 4. Korea
Group C
Iran:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 27
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 20
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Puerto Rico:
Notable NBA Players: Isaiah Pineiro
FIBA Rank: 16
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 19
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Spain:
Notable NBA Players: Marc Gasol, Juancho Hernangomez, Willy Hernangomez, Ricky Rubio
FIBA Rank: 2
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 5
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 3
Tunisia:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 51
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Schedule:
8/31: Iran-Puerto Rico, Spain-Tunisia
9/2: Tunisia-Iran, Spain-Puerto Rico
9/4: Tunisia-Puerto Rico, Spain-Iran
Spain should not only be looked at as the favorite in Group C but also as one of the favorites of the entire tournament. Spain should have little trouble dominating Group C as the real contest should be between Puerto Rico and Iran as they compete for second place and a spot in the knockout round. Tunisia has been impressive during their warm up matches and could be a team to watch for when it comes to playing spoiler.
Prediction: 1. Spain 2. Puerto Rico 3. Tunisia 4. Iran
Group D
Angola:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 39
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 17
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Italy:
Notable NBA Players: Marco Belinelli, Danilo Gallinari
FIBA Rank: 13
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Philippines:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 31
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 21
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Serbia:
Notable NBA Players: Nemanja Bjelica, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marko Gudurić, Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic
FIBA Rank: 4
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 2
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 2
Schedule:
8/31: Angola-Serbia, Italy-Philippines
9/2: Italy-Angola, Serbia-Philippines
9/4: Angola-Philippines,Serbia-Italy
Group D is one of the more entertaining groups despite having a clear cut favorite. Serbia should be viewed as the favorite to win the group and as the biggest threat to the United States to win the FIBA World Cup. After Serbia, things could get interesting as Italy, Angola, and the Philippines all have talented rosters capable of finishing second to Serbia. Italy should be the team that makes it out of Group D but the margin for error is slim.
Prediction: 1. Serbia 2. Italy 3. Philippines 4. Angola
Group E
Czech Republic:
Notable NBA Players: Tomas Satoransky
FIBA Rank: 24
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Japan:
Notable NBA Players: Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe
FIBA Rank: 48
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Turkey:
Notable NBA Players: Cedi Osman, Ersan Ilyasova, Furkan Korkmaz
FIBA Rank: 17
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 8
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Notable NBA Players: Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Joe Harris, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner, Kemba Walker; and Derrick White
FIBA Rank: 1
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 1
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 1
Schedule:
9/1: Turkey-Japan, USA-Czech Republic
9/3: Japan-Czech Republic, USA-Turkey
9/5: Turkey-Czech Republic, USA-Japan
Group E features the tournament favorite United States and despite a less than stellar roster the Americans still have the most talented team in the field. The question for the USA is do they have enough talent to overcome the lack of star power they’ve had in recent years. For those wondering if the U.S. could be upset the only team in Group E with a chance would be Turkey but they still shouldn’t be able to hang with a dominant U.S. team. Look for the U.S. to win Group E handily and for Turkey to claim second.
Prediction: 1. USA 2. Turkey 3. Japan 4. Czech Republic
Group F
Brazil:
Notable NBA Players: Cristiano Felicio, Bruno Caboclo
FIBA Rank: 12
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 6
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 9
Greece:
Notable NBA Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
FIBA Rank: 8
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 9
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Montenegro:
Notable NBA Players: Nikola Vucevic
FIBA Rank: 28
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
New Zealand:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 38
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 15
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Schedule:
9/1: New Zealand-Brazil, Greece-Montenegro
9/3: Montenegro-New Zealand, Brazil-Greece
9/5: Brazil-Montenegro, Greece-New Zealand
Group F features what may be the tournaments best player as Greece will be led by current NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is arguably the biggest name in the tournament as well and his presence will demand as much attention if not more than any other player in the FIBA World Cup. Greece should be the favorites in Group F but don’t be surprised if they receive a tough test from the Brazil team.
Prediction: 1. Greece 2. Brazil 3. Montenegro 4. New Zealand
Group G
Dominican Republic:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 18
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 13
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
France:
Notable NBA Players: Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, Nicolas Batum, Frank Ntilikina, Elie Okobo, Vincent Poirier
FIBA Rank: 3
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 3
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 6
Germany:
Notable NBA Players: Dennis Schroder, Maxi Kleber, Isaac Bonga, Daniel Theis
FIBA Rank: 22
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Jordan:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 49
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Schedule:
9/1: Dominican Republic-Jordan, Germany-France
9/3: Germany-Dominican Republic, France-Jordan
9/5: Germany-Jordan, France-Dominican Republic
Group G has its favorite in France, which has the most NBA players after the USA. After France, it should be a tossup between Germany and the Domininacna Republic. Both teams are good but it feels like the Germans should have the advantage of the talent. Look for the winner of the Germany-Dominican Republic to take second in the group and advance.
Prediction: 1. France 2. Germany 3. Dominican Republic 4. Jordan
Group H
Australia:
Notable NBA Players: Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Aron Baynes
FIBA Rank: 11
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 12
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 4
Canada:
Notable NBA Players: Khem Birch, Oshae Brissett, Cory Joseph
FIBA Rank: 23
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: Did not qualify
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Lithuania:
Notable NBA Players: Jonas Valanciunas, Domantas Sabonis
FIBA Rank: 6
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 4
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: 7
Senegal:
Notable NBA Players: None
FIBA Rank: 37
2014 FIBA World Cup Finish: 16
2016 Rio Olympic Finish: Did not qualify
Schedule:
9/1: Canada-Australia, Senegal-Lithuania
9/3: Australia-Senegal, Lithuania-Canada
9/5: Canada-Senegal, Lithuania-Australia
Group H is the toughest group of the eight groups and if this was soccer it would have the label of the “Group of Death.” Australia should be the favorite but they are by no means assured that as both Lithuania and Canada could pull the upset. Canada has a weaker roster than the two so it should be Lithuania and Australia that advance but don’t be surprised if this group produces the most drama of the opening round.
Prediction: 1. Australia 2. Lithuania 3. Canada 4. Senegal
FIBA Basketball World Cup Odds to Win
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
