MANILA (Philippines) - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 wouldn't be anything without some of the very best basketball players on this planet.

We already listed the first (30-21) and second (20-11) parts of our Top 30 stars to follow in this year's tournament.

Without further ado, here are the best of the best to follow throughout the next weeks of hoops.

 

10. TYRESE HALIBURTON (USA)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: February 29, 2000 (23 years old)
Height: 196cm / 6'5''
Club: Indiana Pacers (USA)

Should we prepare a Sixth Man award for the World Cup? Tyrese Haliburton, NBA All-Star 2023, possibly coming off the bench and dishing dimes will be one heck of an advantage for USA.

Maturity beyond his age and a knack for setting up his teammates in all kinds of scenarios make Haliburton one of the best true point guards in this year's competition. 

9. PATTY MILLS (AUSTRALIA)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: August 11, 1988 (35 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6'1"
Club: Atlanta Hawks (USA)

Is everybody ready for FIBA Patty!? The Aussie guard might have the best case for turning into an unrecognizable force whenever he competes for international medals. Each three-pointer seems to be a sure thing and every window of space is used to his advantage as he flies through the defense.

Tokyo's third-highest scorer at 23.3 points per game in 2021 is back for more! So far, he has not been really impressive in the friendlies but we trust him for the real thing.

8. BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC (SERBIA)

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: August 18, 1992 (31 years old)
Height: 196cm / 6'5"
Club: Atlanta Hawks (USA)

Bogdanovic has averaged over 20 points per game in his last two major FIBA tournaments. However, for a basketball nation like Serbia those silver medals in the FIBA 2017 EuroBasket might seem like a long, distant memory.

A true-scoring marksman like Bogdanovic is definitely here to give his best shot at taking his national team back to the top.

7. DENNIS SCHRODER (GERMANY)

POINT GUARD 

Birth date: September 15, 1993 (29 years old)
Height: 185cm / 6'1"
Club: Toronto Raptors (CANADA)

There's a reason they call him Dennis 'The Menace'. You could maybe live with his hyper-competitiveness and passion for getting into his man on the defensive end. However, then comes the offensive side of the game, on which he is Germany's reliable scoring and passing engine.

Sorry, Bogdan, but Dennis has basically been good for 20-point averages across the last four FIBA EuroBasket and World Cup editions.

6. KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

CENTER

Birth date: November 15, 1995 (27 years old)
Height: 211cm / 6'11"
Club: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)

We're so happy to see you, KAT! The moment of Towns representing his country at the highest stage is finally here. Somebody at his size having the ability to shoot from wherever is close to a unique advantage.

And then there's the fact that he has been a walking 20+10 double-double pretty much since he was a rookie in the NBA. Will he turn his national team into a legit contender in one summer?

5. JALEN BRUNSON (USA)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: August 31, 1996 (26 years old)
Height: 188cm / 6'2"
Club: New York Knicks (USA)

That's right! Not only do USA have Haliburton, but there's also Jalen Brunson. There's something so satisfying about watching him operate in the lane, always seemingly one step ahead on the chessboard.

If that doesn't work, he'll gladly post up against whoever or find space for that signature mid-range shot of his. Very impressive in the friendlies.

4. LAURI MARKKANEN (FINLAND)

POWER FORWARD

Birth date: May 22, 1997 (26 years old)
Height: 213cm / 7'0"
Club: Utah Jazz (USA)

We've always thought that Lauri Markkanen is a beast. However, the tear he's been on since FIBA EuroBasket 2022 is something else. In case you forgot, last fall he put up 27.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for Finland on 54-40-90 shooting splits.

You definitely don't need reminders about his game. Too big for some, too fast for others and always able to find his shot or just slam it right over you after a powerful drive. An absolute must-watch.

3. ANTHONY EDWARDS (USA)

SHOOTING GUARD

Birth date: August 5, 2001 (22 years old)
Height: 193cm / 6'4"
Club: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)

When Ant says that he could play a different sport like baseball, we just humbly believe him. Who wouldn't!? Edwards is a world-class athlete who, you know, is also unbelievably good at this thing called basketball. No situation is too difficult for him to get a pretty good shot off.

Moreover, he'll also be glad to dismiss your feeble attempts of scoring against him. It will be a joy to see if he can help USA return to the top of the podium. Best scorer for USA in the preparation games.

2. SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER (CANADA)

POINT GUARD

Birth date: July 12, 1998 (25 years old)
Height: 198cm / 6'6"
Club: Oklahoma City Thunder (USA)

We got a taste of what SGA is about in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers. However, even numbers like 26.3 points, 4.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game don't do this man justice.

It's close to impossible to keep him out of the paint, off the free-throw line or take advantage of him on the other side of the court. The only question that remains is whether Gilgeous-Alexander and Canada are ready to bring home their first World title.

1. LUKA DONCIC (SLOVENIA)

GUARD

Birth date: February 28, 1999 (24 years old)
Height: 201cm / 6'7"
Club: Dallas Mavericks (USA)

Raise your hand if you want to see this man on the opposing team! No one? That's what we figured. Luka Legend is here and all of us watching are glad to be on this ride.

Last time we saw Slovenia battle the best teams in the world Doncic averaged 23.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists in Tokyo in 2021. You better believe that everybody on Slovenia's team is certain that they can win whoever with Doncic on their side.

*The  World Cup Top 30 players to watch rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true and accurate FIBA ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author for the entertainment of the fans.

FIBA