Thursday brought us some intense moments as the teams that didn’t make it to the 2nd Round displayed their skills in the 2023 FIBA World Cup’s Classification Games. These matchups, although not hogging all the attention, provide insights into how the basketball landscape is changing. Notable displays in these games can sometimes predict the rise of new national teams, a trend seen before with Spain, Argentina, France, and Slovenia.
Let’s take a closer look at the standout performances from Thursday’s 2023 FIBA World Cup Classification Games.
Lauri Markkanen, Finland
Lauri Markkanen and Team Finland turned the tide, securing an impressive 100-77 victory against Cape Verde. The standout from the Utah Jazz, Markkanen, delivered a dominating performance, netting 34 points in a concise 26 minutes and on only 19 shots.
What’s intriguing is that Finland’s point surge perfectly matched their margin of victory during Markkanen’s on-court presence. This achievement by “The Wolf Pack,” competing in just their second FIBA World Cup, speaks volumes about their burgeoning strength on the playing field.
Pako Cruz and Fabian Jaimes, Mexico
A shift in fortune occurred for Mexico as Cruz and Jaimes stepped up to the plate. Cruz’s finesse in long-range shots and Jaimes’ well-rounded excellence shattered Mexico’s string of losses. Cruz, the experienced guard, demonstrated his skill with a 27-point performance, connecting on six 3-point shots.
Concurrently, Jaimes collected 16 points, 11 rebounds, and contributed seven assists. Mexico’s triumph over New Zealand, with a final score of 108-100, marked a significant milestone, signifying their first victory in the FIBA World Cup since 2014.
Makoto Hiejima and Yuta Watanabe, Japan
Makoto Hiejima and Yuta Watanabe took center stage for Japan in a compelling twist of events. Despite being dealt a challenging group, Japan orchestrated a turnaround against Venezuela. Hiejima’s standout display in the fourth quarter propelled him to contribute 17 out of his game-leading 23 points, highlighted by a 6-for-7 performance from beyond the three-point line.
On a parallel note, Watanabe, recently joining the Phoenix Suns, offered 21 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks to the team’s effort. This substantial victory for Japan, a feat not achieved since 2006, serves as a testament to their revival on the world basketball stage.
Amir Saoud and Omari Spellman, Lebanon
Lebanon faced a tough beginning but made a strong comeback with Saoud and Spellman at the forefront. Saoud’s skillful coordination led to an effective offense, tallying 29 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Spellman, drafted in 2018 by the NBA, contributed with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Their accuracy from long range played a pivotal role in propelling Lebanon to its initial FIBA World Cup win since 2010.
Carlik Jones, South Sudan
Jones the driving force behind South Sudan’s inaugural World Cup win, nearly etched his name in history with a near-triple-double. The 25-year-old Chicago Bulls guard came close with 17 points, nine rebounds, and 14 assists in a triumphant 87-68 win against the Philippines. South Sudan’s remarkable journey, only a dozen years in the making, holds promise for a remarkable final World Cup ranking. In these intense Classification Games, the lesser-known teams stepped up as strong challengers, setting the stage for an exciting spectacle in the upcoming World Cup.
