Basketball Wiretap

Dillon Brooks Named Best Defensive Player Of FIBA World Cup

Sep 11, 2023 12:02 AM

Dillon Brooks was recognized as the Best Defensive Player of the FIBA World Cup, helping lead Canada to a bronze medal in the tournament.

With the all-tournament team featuring five NBA players, the tournament also recognized a second team including Arturs Zagars of Latvia, Simone Fontecchio of Italy, Jonas Valanciunas of Lithuania, Nikola Milutinov of Serbia and Franz Wagner of Germany.

Latvia's Luca Banchi was named the Best Coach of the tournament.

Australia's Josh Giddey was awarded the first ever Wanda Rising Star Award. 

FIBA Basketball

Tags: Dillon Brooks, Josh Giddey, Jonas Valanciunas, Franz Wagner, National, National World Championships

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FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team Features Only NBA Players For First Time

Sep 10, 2023 5:04 PM

The 2023 FIBA World Cup All-Tournament Team was named following the completion of the competition. For the first time, the All-Tournament team featured NBA players in all five spots.

Dennis Schroder - Germany (also named MVP of the World Cup)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Canada

Anthony Edwards - United States

Bogdan Bogdanovic - Serbia

Luka Doncic - Slovenia

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dennis Schroder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Luka Doncic, United States, Slovenia, Canada, Germany, Serbia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Germany Defeats Serbia To Win 2023 FIBA World Cup

Sep 10, 2023 10:47 AM

Germany defeated Serbia to win the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Germany held off a late rally from the Serbians to capture an 83-77 victory.

Dennis Schroder led the Germans with 28 points, while Franz Wagner added 19 points. Schroder was also named the MVP of the World Cup.

Aleksa Avramovic led Serbia with 21 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Germany, Serbia, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Canada Defeats USA In Third Place Game Of World Cup

Sep 10, 2023 9:36 AM

Canada defeated the United States in the third-place game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. After Mikal Bridges forced overtime with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, Canada rallied for the 127-118 victory.

Dillon Brooks scored 39 points and hit 7-of-8 three-point attempts to lead Canada. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and 12 assists, while RJ Barrett added 23 points for the Canadians.

Team USA played without Jaren Jackson Jr., Paolo Banchero and Brandon Ingram due to illness. Anthony Edwards led the Americans with 24 points, while Austin Reaves added 23 points off the bench.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dillon Brooks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, R.J. Barrett, Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, United States, Canada, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Arturs Zagars On NBA Radar After World Cup

Sep 10, 2023 9:30 AM

Latvia was a surprise performer at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. As a big part of that success, Latvian point guard Arturs Zagars is popping up on the radar of some NBA teams.

In the fifth-place game against Lithuania, Zagars set a World Cup record with 17 assists. That capped a strong tournament for the 6-foot-3 point guard, where he averaged 12.4 points and 7.4 assists per game.

The 23-year-old is a free agent after playing for Nevezis in Latvia last season. He's now drawing interest from several top EuroLeague clubs, as well as some NBA teams. Latvian teammate and NBA veteran Davis Bertans thinks Zagars is ready to play in the NBA.

"I think it's a fair shot. It's all about timing, chance, and opportunity. Everything can happen if you end up at the right place at the right time. He has all the tools to do it," Bertans said of Zagars' NBA potential.

Donatas Urbonas/BasketNews

Tags: Arturs Zagars, Latvia, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Luka Doncic Says Leg Injury Is 'Not Okay' But Will Keep Playing

Sep 9, 2023 9:15 AM

Luka Doncic admitted he's still dealing with a leg injury that he suffered shortly after the 2023 NBA All-Star Break. But Doncic said the injury won't keep him from playing, or from being ready for the upcoming Dallas Mavericks season.

"I do not know what to say," Doncic said about the injury. "It's not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA."

Doncic went on to say he's healthy enough to play, or he would be sitting out. The Mavs and Slovenian star also said he's not playing because of pressure from FIBA, but because he loves representing his country.

"There is also one of the questions, but I play for Slovenia, not for FIBA," Doncic said. "I play no matter what, even in the Olympic qualifiers, if only I'm healthy."

Doncic also owned the criticism of Slovenia falling short of expectations, but that it hasn't changed his desire to represent his country.

"There is a lot of criticism every day, but I have learned to live with it. I don't think I'm the best in the world, though," Doncic said. "I simply love playing for Slovenia and will continue to do so."

Grant Afseth/Dallas Basketball

Tags: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, Slovenia, NBA, NBA Injury, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Germany Upsets United States 113-111 in FIBA World Cup Semifinal

Sep 8, 2023 1:47 PM

Germany defeated the United States 113-111 in the FIBA World Cup semifinals to advance to Sunday's final where they will play Serbia. 

Similar to the United States' loss to Lithuania, Germany was able to dominate the boards while shooting a strong percentage on three-pointers. 

Dennis Schroder had 17 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists and two steals, while Andreas Obst had 24 points on 4-for-8 shooting on three-pointers. Franz Wagner had 22 points and Daniel Theis added 21.

Anthony Edwards led the United States with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Germany, NBA, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Germany Beats Latvia 81-79, Will Play USA In Semifinals

Sep 6, 2023 11:37 AM

Germany defeated Latvia 81-79 to advance to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup where they will play the United States. The U.S. beat Germany 99-91 on Aug. 20 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Franz Wagner scored 16 points for Germany as they remained undefeated in the tournament. Arturs Zagars scored 24 and Davis Bertans scored 20 for Latvia.

ESPN

Tags: NBA, National, National World Championships

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Serbia Upsets Lithuania To Reach World Cup Semifinals

Sep 5, 2023 11:32 AM

Serbia defeated Lithuania 87-68 in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half to pace Serbia

Serbia will play Canada or Slovenia in Friday's semifinals. 

For Lithuania, the loss comes as another disappointment where they fail to medal after beating the United States. Lithuania had previously upset the United States in 1998 and against at the 2004 Olympics, but failed to medal either time.

ESPN

Tags: NBA, National, National World Championships

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United States Reaches World Cup Semifinals With 100-63 Win Over Italy

Sep 5, 2023 11:29 AM

The United States has reached the semifinals of the World Cup with their 100-63 win over Italy. Steve Kerr's team rebounded quickly from a loss to Lithuania. 

Mikal Bridges had 24 points to lead the United States.

Steve Kerr called for a halfcourt trap early in the game, which limited Italy's offensive output and gave the United States a comfortable lead.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: NBA, National, National World Championships

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Luka Doncic Taking Better Care Of His Body; In A Lot Better Shape

EuroHoops.Net

Serbian Forward Borisa Simanic Has Emergency Kidney Removal

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Canada Earns Olympic Berth After Defeating Spain 88-85

John Hollinger & Eric Koreen/The Athletic

Team USA Loses To Lithuania, Secure Olympic Berth

Brian Windhorst/ESPN