How to follow OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey & Co. at FIBA World Cup
Five Thunder players will represent their countries in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which tips off Friday in host nations Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
The 32-team tournament features eight groups consisting of four teams. The top-two teams from each group will move on to the knockout rounds. The tournament will run through Sept. 10.
The Team USA roster doesn’t feature a Thunder player, although Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were invited to Team USA training camp as part of a select group of rising American stars.
Thunder fans will likely be rooting for our neighbors from the North, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort represent Team Canada.
Here’s a Thunder guide for the FIBA World Cup:
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Australia
Josh Giddey: The 20-year-old Thunder guard is set to supplant 35-year-old teammate Patty Mills as the face of Australian basketball.
Jack White: Don’t forget about White, OKC’s newest Aussie. The 26-year-old forward signed a two-year deal with the Thunder after playing in 17 games for the Nuggets last season.
The Boomers, as they’re known in Australia, are in Group E with Finland, Germany and Japan.
Finland’s Lauri Markkanen is the most accomplished player in the group, but watch out for the Germans, which feature Dennis Schroder and the Wagner brothers: Franz and Mo.
FIBA world ranking: No. 3, behind only Spain and the United States. The Aussies finished fourth in the 2019 World Cup.
Team Australia schedule
Aug. 25: 3 a.m. vs. Finland (ESPN+)
Aug. 27: 3:30 a.m. vs. Germany (ESPN+)
Aug. 29: 6:10 a.m. vs. Japan (ESPN+)
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Canada
Lu Dort: The brick wall from Montreal.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: SGA might be the best player in the tournament. If he plays like it, the Canadians could win the whole thing.
Canada is in Group H with France, Latvia and Lebanon.
Rudy Gobert and the French are always a tough out, but the Canadians — even without Jamal Murray — are more talented.
Gilgeous-Alexander will get to play alongside his cousin, Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
FIBA world ranking: No. 15, but expect that to rise given the influx of Canadian talent. There are 22 Canadians in the NBA, the most of any foreign country.
Team Canada schedule
Aug. 25: 8:30 a.m. vs. France (ESPN+)
Aug. 27: 4:45 a.m. vs. Lebanon (ESPN+)
Aug. 29: 8:30 a.m. vs. Latvia (ESPN+)
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Latvia
Davis Bertans: Bertans, whom the Thunder acquired from the Mavericks on draft night, will look to lead Latvia in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis (plantar fasciitis).
Latvia, like Canada, is in Group H with France and Lebanon.
Bertans will team up with his brother, Dairis, who played in 12 games for the Pelicans in the 2018-19 season.
FIBA world ranking: No. 29, ahead of Belgium, Mexico and Georgia. Seven Latvians, including Davis Bertans, have ever played in the NBA.
Team Latvia schedule
Aug. 25: 4:15 a.m. vs. Lebanon (ESPN+)
Aug. 27: 8:30 a.m. vs. France (ESPN+)
Aug. 29: 8:30 a.m. vs. Canada (ESPN+)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder FIBA World Cup guide: How to follow SGA, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey
