We have officially reached the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the four teams left standing all have a serious shot to win it all.
Despite both teams taking tough losses during the second round of the tournament, the United States and Canada have a chance to meet in the World Cup Finals. As they did before the tournament began, per BetMGM, USA (-185) and Canada (+300) remain the two favorites.
But both have tough opponents as the USA will play Germany and Canada will play against Serbia.
Before these four teams play their next games on Friday, we ranked the remaining national teams based on which has the best chance to stand on the podium when it is all said and done.
4
Serbia (+800)
fiba.basketball
FIBA World Ranking: 6
NEXT OPPONENT: Canada (Sept. 8 @ 4:45 AM)
Serbia currently has the second-highest point differential (141) of any team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They have maintained the most efficient offense (1.18 points per possession) of all teams in tournament play as well, per Synergy. Meanwhile, no team is scoring at the basket (42.5 ppg) more often than Serbia. They are getting an All-Tournament caliber stretch from Bogdan Bogdanovic. He is shooting 18-of-21 (85.7 percent) at the rim, which is the best (minimum: 20 possessions) of any player thus far.
RELATED: Nikola Jovic sure looks like the centerpiece of a Damian Lillard trade during the FIBA World Cup
3
Germany (+700)
fiba.basketball
FIBA World Ranking: 11
NEXT OPPONENT: USA (Sept. 8 @ 8:40 AM)
Germany is the only undefeated team left in the tournament and they are no easy match for the USA. Germany has allowed the fewest points per game (72.4 PPG) of all teams during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, per Synergy. They have also allowed the fewest points per possession (0.858 PPP) and per game (60.5 ppg) against a set defense during the tournament as well. While play from point guard Dennis Schröder is best described as inconsistent, this team has had arguably the best frontcourt in the tournament. Daniel Theis has the second-most dunks (11) of all players in the tournament, via Synergy. Moritz Wagner, meanwhile, deserves serious consideration to earn All-Tournament honors.
2
Canada (+300)
fiba.basketball
FIBA World Ranking: 15
NEXT OPPONENT: Serbia (Sept. 8 @ 4:45 AM)
Canada pulled off a huge victory against Slovenia and Luka Doncic in the quarterfinals. Doncic remains the overall leading scorer at the tournament (158) but Gilgeous-Alexander (150) could potentially surpass the Slovenian star. Among those remaining in the tournament, Gilgeous-Alexander is currently the best one-on-one scorer who can create off the dribble. He should be considered the frontrunner to win tournament MVP. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, his teammates have also impressed. Canada has thus far allowed the fewest points per game (7.8 ppg) against a transition offense, per Synergy.
RELATED: Meet the Canadian roster at the 2023 FIBA World Cup
1
USA (-185)
fiba.basketball
FIBA World Ranking: 2
NEXT OPPONENT: Germany (Sept. 8 @ 8:40 AM)
Team USA is the only team averaging more than 100.0 points per game during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They have the highest point differential (146) of any team in the competition as well. Led by Tyrese Haliburton, who has a tournament-high 16 transition assists, USA is tough to stop in the open court. Team USA’s defensive efficiency (0.804 PPP) is also the best of any team during tournament play, per Synergy. USA leads the tournament in both blocks (5.8) and (10.0 spg) on defense.
RELATED: Here are the 12 players representing the United States at the 2023 FIBA World Cup
