This could easily be the most interesting FIBA World Cup of all time if you look at the teams and superstars who have stated they are interested in playing. Let's look at all the significant teams bar the United States:
Australia - Group H
Ben Simmons (NBA - 76ers), Patty Mills (NBA - Spurs), Joe Ingles (NBA - Jazz), Jonah Bolden (NBA - 76ers), Aron Baynes (NBA - Celtics), Thon Maker (NBA - Pistons), Andrew Bogut (NBA - Warriors), Ryan Broekhoff (NBA - Mavericks), Dante Exum (NBA - Jazz), Matthew Dellavedova (NBA - Cavaliers), Isaac Humphries (NBA - Hawks), Deng Adel (NBA - Cavaliers), Josh Green (NCAA - Arizona).
Even if Simmons doesn't play, you could easily argue this will be the strongest team we've ever sent to any international competition. We have more NBA talent than we've ever had and some exciting young prospects like Josh Green coming through. I'm backing us in to get our first ever international medal and really hoping Simmons decides he wants to be a part of the World Cup.
Canada - Group H
Cory Joseph (NBA - Pacers), Jamal Murray (NBA - Nuggets), Andrew Wiggins (NBA - Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (NBA - Heat), Tristan Thompson (NBA - Cavaliers), Shaivonte Gilgeous-Alexande (NBA - Clippers), Nikolas Stauskas (NBA - Cavaliers), Trey Lyles (NBA - Nuggets), Dwight Powell (NBA - Mavericks), Dillon Brooks (NBA - Grizzlies), Chris Boucher (NBA - Raptors), RJ Barrett (NCAA - Duke).
Easily our biggest competition for a medal at the World Cup outside of the US. Plenty of NBA talent but none on the level of Ben Simmons and that could really be our edge against Canada in the end. For those who follow college basketball, you will have noticed RJ Barrett's name. This kid can seriously play and is certain to be taken as a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft (some believe the 2019 draft is a super draft). It's really important for both Canada and Australia to finish top of their group because second place will likely result in a Quarterfinal against the United States and then it's game over for that country.
Spain - Group C
Ricky Rubio (NBA - Jazz), Pau Gasol (NBA - Bucks), Marc Gasol (NBA - Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Raptors), Jose Calderon (NBA - Pistons), Nikola Mirotic (NBA - Bucks), Willy Hernangomez (NBA - Hornets), Juan Hernangomez (NBA - Nuggets).
Spain appear to be coming to the end of their run of what can only be described as a golden generation of basketball for them. You still expect Spain to get through to the Quarterfinals and, perhaps fortunately, they have been given the kind of draw that shouldn't trouble them. Expect a good showing from the Spaniards in this World Cup.
Greece - Group F
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA - Bucks), Kostas Antetokounmpo (NBA - Mavericks), Tyler Dorsey (NBA - Grizzlies), Kosta Koufos (NBA - Sacramento).
The Greek Freak is the best player in the world right now and publicly stated his intentions to play for Greece in the World Cup as recent as February this year. The Greeks certainly don't possess as much NBA talent as other teams but have shown in the past (2006 World Cup in particular) that they can show up on the big stage without NBA talent and having Giannis really mean they get through to the Quarterfinals with relative ease, despite likely having to play the United States in the second round of the group stages. The Greek Freak v the Dream Team will be one of the highlights of the competition so be prepared for that one on the 7/9 September.
Serbia - Group D
Nikola Jokic (NBA - Nuggets), Bogdan Bogdanovic (NBA - Kings), Nemanja Bjelica (NBA - Kings), Boban Marjanović (NBA - 76ers).
Serbia have historically competed very well on the international stage will likely do so again this World Cup given their draw. They were the silver medalists in the the 2016 Olympics AND the 2014 World Cup for a reason. Expect a deep run for the Serbians, despite not possessing as much NBA talent as other teams. Watch for Jokic to lead this team deep into the elimination rounds.
France - Group G
Rudy Gobert (NBA - Jazz), Nicholas Batum (NBA - Hornets), Evan Fournier (NBA - Magic), Joakim Noah (NBA - Grizzlies), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (NBA - Bulls), Ian Mahinmi (NBA - Wizards), Frank Bryan Ntilikina (NBA - Knicks), Elie Okobo (NBA - Suns), Guerschon Yabusele (NBA - Celtics).
The French would have been a strong team if Tony Parker and Boris Diaw had not retired from international competitions but they find themselves where the only significant player they have is Rudy Gobert. Despite having a decent amount of NBA players, I expect Australia and Canada to eliminate France in the second round of group stages.
Turkey - Group E
Enes Kanter (NBA - Trail Blazers), Cedi Osman (NBA - Cavaliers), Furkan Korkmaz (NBA - 76ers), Ersan Ilyasova (NBA - Bucks), Salah Mejri (NBA - Mavericks).
The Turks will very likely finish second behind the US but that may actually play into their advantage later in the tournament when they are placed on the opposite side of the draw to the Americans. Having said that, I don't think they'll finish ahead of Greece in the second round of the group stages so I expect Turkey to be knocked out in the second round of the group stages.
Italy - Group D
Marco Bellinelli (NBA - Spurs), Danillo Gallinari (NBA - Clippers), Ryan Arcidiacono (NBA - Bulls), Nico Mannion (NCAA - Arizona).
Italy should compete at a commendable level at the World Cup. Some NBA talent and an exciting young prospect in Nico Mannion should at least get them through to the second round of the group stages. Worth watching.
Brazil - Group F
Raul Neto (NBA - Jazz), Nene (NBA - Rockets), Bruno Cabocio (NBA - Grizzlies), Cristiano Felicio (NBA - Bulls), Scott Machado (NBA - Lakers).
Brazil has a decent amount of NBA players and that will be complemented up by former NBA players in the form of Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Varejao but I'm not overly confident the Brazilians will go deep in this tournament. I don't expect them to finish ahead of Greece in the first round of the group stages and I certainly expect them to lose to the US in the second round of group matches. A second round showing for the Brazilians is a best case scenario I see coming for Brazil.
Dominican Republic - Group G
Karl-Anthony Towns (NBA - Timberwolves), Al Horford (NBA - Celtics), Angel Delgado (NBA - Clippers).
Despite only possessing a few NBA players, the players they do have can really turn it on. Towns and Horford could definitely lead the Domincans to the top of Group G but I doubt they'll be able to beat either Australia or Canada in the second round of group matches. Despite a probable early exit, this could be a fun team to watch.
Now obviously there are some serious players in the Euroleague that I haven't mentioned here but I think the teams I've listed above are the ones that will likely appeal to the masses. Fingers crossed our boys can bring home a medal!
Australia - Group H
Ben Simmons (NBA - 76ers), Patty Mills (NBA - Spurs), Joe Ingles (NBA - Jazz), Jonah Bolden (NBA - 76ers), Aron Baynes (NBA - Celtics), Thon Maker (NBA - Pistons), Andrew Bogut (NBA - Warriors), Ryan Broekhoff (NBA - Mavericks), Dante Exum (NBA - Jazz), Matthew Dellavedova (NBA - Cavaliers), Isaac Humphries (NBA - Hawks), Deng Adel (NBA - Cavaliers), Josh Green (NCAA - Arizona).
Even if Simmons doesn't play, you could easily argue this will be the strongest team we've ever sent to any international competition. We have more NBA talent than we've ever had and some exciting young prospects like Josh Green coming through. I'm backing us in to get our first ever international medal and really hoping Simmons decides he wants to be a part of the World Cup.
Canada - Group H
Cory Joseph (NBA - Pacers), Jamal Murray (NBA - Nuggets), Andrew Wiggins (NBA - Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (NBA - Heat), Tristan Thompson (NBA - Cavaliers), Shaivonte Gilgeous-Alexande (NBA - Clippers), Nikolas Stauskas (NBA - Cavaliers), Trey Lyles (NBA - Nuggets), Dwight Powell (NBA - Mavericks), Dillon Brooks (NBA - Grizzlies), Chris Boucher (NBA - Raptors), RJ Barrett (NCAA - Duke).
Easily our biggest competition for a medal at the World Cup outside of the US. Plenty of NBA talent but none on the level of Ben Simmons and that could really be our edge against Canada in the end. For those who follow college basketball, you will have noticed RJ Barrett's name. This kid can seriously play and is certain to be taken as a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft (some believe the 2019 draft is a super draft). It's really important for both Canada and Australia to finish top of their group because second place will likely result in a Quarterfinal against the United States and then it's game over for that country.
Spain - Group C
Ricky Rubio (NBA - Jazz), Pau Gasol (NBA - Bucks), Marc Gasol (NBA - Raptors), Serge Ibaka (Raptors), Jose Calderon (NBA - Pistons), Nikola Mirotic (NBA - Bucks), Willy Hernangomez (NBA - Hornets), Juan Hernangomez (NBA - Nuggets).
Spain appear to be coming to the end of their run of what can only be described as a golden generation of basketball for them. You still expect Spain to get through to the Quarterfinals and, perhaps fortunately, they have been given the kind of draw that shouldn't trouble them. Expect a good showing from the Spaniards in this World Cup.
Greece - Group F
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA - Bucks), Kostas Antetokounmpo (NBA - Mavericks), Tyler Dorsey (NBA - Grizzlies), Kosta Koufos (NBA - Sacramento).
The Greek Freak is the best player in the world right now and publicly stated his intentions to play for Greece in the World Cup as recent as February this year. The Greeks certainly don't possess as much NBA talent as other teams but have shown in the past (2006 World Cup in particular) that they can show up on the big stage without NBA talent and having Giannis really mean they get through to the Quarterfinals with relative ease, despite likely having to play the United States in the second round of the group stages. The Greek Freak v the Dream Team will be one of the highlights of the competition so be prepared for that one on the 7/9 September.
Serbia - Group D
Nikola Jokic (NBA - Nuggets), Bogdan Bogdanovic (NBA - Kings), Nemanja Bjelica (NBA - Kings), Boban Marjanović (NBA - 76ers).
Serbia have historically competed very well on the international stage will likely do so again this World Cup given their draw. They were the silver medalists in the the 2016 Olympics AND the 2014 World Cup for a reason. Expect a deep run for the Serbians, despite not possessing as much NBA talent as other teams. Watch for Jokic to lead this team deep into the elimination rounds.
France - Group G
Rudy Gobert (NBA - Jazz), Nicholas Batum (NBA - Hornets), Evan Fournier (NBA - Magic), Joakim Noah (NBA - Grizzlies), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (NBA - Bulls), Ian Mahinmi (NBA - Wizards), Frank Bryan Ntilikina (NBA - Knicks), Elie Okobo (NBA - Suns), Guerschon Yabusele (NBA - Celtics).
The French would have been a strong team if Tony Parker and Boris Diaw had not retired from international competitions but they find themselves where the only significant player they have is Rudy Gobert. Despite having a decent amount of NBA players, I expect Australia and Canada to eliminate France in the second round of group stages.
Turkey - Group E
Enes Kanter (NBA - Trail Blazers), Cedi Osman (NBA - Cavaliers), Furkan Korkmaz (NBA - 76ers), Ersan Ilyasova (NBA - Bucks), Salah Mejri (NBA - Mavericks).
The Turks will very likely finish second behind the US but that may actually play into their advantage later in the tournament when they are placed on the opposite side of the draw to the Americans. Having said that, I don't think they'll finish ahead of Greece in the second round of the group stages so I expect Turkey to be knocked out in the second round of the group stages.
Italy - Group D
Marco Bellinelli (NBA - Spurs), Danillo Gallinari (NBA - Clippers), Ryan Arcidiacono (NBA - Bulls), Nico Mannion (NCAA - Arizona).
Italy should compete at a commendable level at the World Cup. Some NBA talent and an exciting young prospect in Nico Mannion should at least get them through to the second round of the group stages. Worth watching.
Brazil - Group F
Raul Neto (NBA - Jazz), Nene (NBA - Rockets), Bruno Cabocio (NBA - Grizzlies), Cristiano Felicio (NBA - Bulls), Scott Machado (NBA - Lakers).
Brazil has a decent amount of NBA players and that will be complemented up by former NBA players in the form of Leandro Barbosa and Anderson Varejao but I'm not overly confident the Brazilians will go deep in this tournament. I don't expect them to finish ahead of Greece in the first round of the group stages and I certainly expect them to lose to the US in the second round of group matches. A second round showing for the Brazilians is a best case scenario I see coming for Brazil.
Dominican Republic - Group G
Karl-Anthony Towns (NBA - Timberwolves), Al Horford (NBA - Celtics), Angel Delgado (NBA - Clippers).
Despite only possessing a few NBA players, the players they do have can really turn it on. Towns and Horford could definitely lead the Domincans to the top of Group G but I doubt they'll be able to beat either Australia or Canada in the second round of group matches. Despite a probable early exit, this could be a fun team to watch.
Now obviously there are some serious players in the Euroleague that I haven't mentioned here but I think the teams I've listed above are the ones that will likely appeal to the masses. Fingers crossed our boys can bring home a medal!