The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will begin on the 30th August. This year’s event will be hosted by Spain as 24 national teams will battle it out to be crowned the best in the world. In this article I have chosen the six players to watch out for in this year’s tournament. There will be five starters and a Sixth man. I haven’t just chosen the six best players at the tournament like many would expect, but players I expect to surprise and have breakout performances at this year’s tournament.
FIBA Basetball World Cup Players to Watch
Point Guard- Goran Dragic (Slovenia)
Point Guard Goran Dragic had arguably his best year as a pro last season for the Phoenix Suns. The 28-year-old averaged 20.3 pointsand 5.9 assists per game. These stats led to him to him being named to the All-NBA 3rd Team. This gives Dragic great momentum heading into the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. With Gragic’s native Slovenia being in a competitive but open Group D, he will have an opportunity to lead his nation to the knockout phase of the tournament. He may be the only big name on his team but Dragic can still surprise basketball fans in this year’s tournament.
Shooting Guard- Dante Exum (Australia)
Having been drafted by the Utah Jazz in this year’s draft, the 6-foot 4-inch shooting guard will be brimming with confidence going into the tournament. Playing for Australia, Exum will be expected to be a leader for his country. At just 19 years old and playing at his first world cup would be daunting task for most players, but Exum is a player with extreme confidence. Australia will be looking for him to play a big part in their effort to progress through the tournament. Despite being so inexperienced, I believe Exum will a big part of Australia’s efforts in reaching the knockout stages.
Small Forward- Nicholas Batum (France)
Nicholas Batum is a 25-year-old frenchman who plays in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers. He is a key player for a France side that can compete all the way to the late stages of the tournament. Batum is a big part of the rotation in Portland and averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in what was a great season for him and the Blazers in 2013-14. Batum brings a hard-working, all-round game to this year’s tournament and will most likely lead France to at least the Semi- Finals.
Power Forward- Serge Ibaka (Spain)
Known by most as the third best player in OKC, Serge Ibaka will play a much bigger role for Spain then many might think, especially with Pau Gasol not getting any younger. I would expect Ibaka to play big minutes for his country in this world cup. Spain lays claim to being the 2nd best team in the world, behind only the USA and will be hoping to go all the way to the final. They are also the best bet to upset the Americans along the way. Ibaka will be a huge part of this effort to help the team overcome the challenge of the US roster stacked with talent. Spain will be especially motivated at the chance to play the US team after losing to the Americans in the 2012 London Olympic Final.
Center- Anthony Davis (USA)
Having put in a very impressive performance against Brazil in an exhibition game for the US team, Anthony Davis should start at centre and play a large role for team USA. As a player who can play both the 4 and the 5 in a team, Davis can be versatile and effective this Basketball World Cup. Davis has already won a medal with the US, as part of the gold medal winning team in London two years ago, and will be part of the team favored to win this tournament. He had a huge breakout last season for New Orleans, despite dealing with some injuries, and will be expected to provide his combination of defense, rebounding and offensive game for the Americans.
Sixth Man- Giannis Anetetokoumpo (Greece)
Known as the Greek Freak by teammates and the media, Giannis Anetetkoumpo who is just 19 years old and 6 foot 9, is expected to make a splash at this year’s tournament. He will play for a very competitive Greece team, who may be a solid dark horse pick in the tournament. The Milwaukee Bucks swingman is a very promising player with lots of potential and the athletic ability the light up this year’s tournament.
Keep an eye out for these six players and lets hope that they can be part of making the 2014 Basketball World Cup a memorable event.
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