France is headed home from the 2023 FIBA World Cup much earlier than anyone expected. Following a loss to Canada in their opener, France fell to Latvia and has no chance of advancing to the knockout round.

“I’ve never been ashamed with this jersey, but this is the first time I’m ashamed,” LA Clippers forward Nic Batum said in the post-game presser. “I’m scared to go home because we let a lot of people down. A lot of people believed in us to do something special. We didn’t do it.”

Teammate Evan Fournier echoed Batum's disappointment.

“We got to go home,” Fournier said. “It’s very tough. Very hard. We didn’t think we would leave the tournament like this.”

Despite being knocked out of the World Cup earlier than expected, France will still feature in the 2024 Summer Olympics. They are automatically qualified for the games as the host nation.

Brandon Ingram would like a bigger role with Team USA than the one he's had so far this summer. But Ingram isn't going to let that get in the way of the team's success, even if it's not what he envisioned.

“This is totally different than what I am used to,” Ingram told The Athletic Sunday. “The team is winning right now, so I can’t be selfish thinking about myself. But it’s a little frustrating right now for me, and I’m just trying to figure out ways I can be effective.”

Ingram has the ball a lot less with Team USA than in his role as the New Orleans Pelicans primary playmaker. That's been an adjustment, but it's one Ingram said he think can pay off in the NBA, as well.

“I know who I am,” Ingram said. “In ways, I can get stuck and think my way is the best way. This is a learning experience. … I get to see everybody work, get to see everybody’s strengths and everybody’s weaknesses, so I can take it back to my team, be smart about it.”

Franz Wagner turned his left ankle in Germany's World Cup opening victory over Japan. German team doctor, Oliver Putz, said the team ruled out any serious injuries after examining Wagner.

"Nothing is broken, torn, or anything like this; things that would end the FIBA World Cup for him," Putz said. "Franz feels better this morning than yesterday. We did another MRI this morning. But, the problem is that we don't have the imaging yet, so we can't say exactly what's hurt yet."

Luka Doncic and Slovenia got off to a 1-0 start at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Doncic led Slovenia to a 100-85 victory over Venezuela in their Group F opener.

Following the game, Doncic made it clear he'll represent his country whenever he's able to do so. He said missing the playoffs with the Dallas Mavericks last season didn't influence him on playing in the World Cup this summer.

“Every time I can play for the national team, I will play," Doncic said. "Representing your country, you are always motivated, no matter what happens in the season. Obviously, it was disappointing that we could not make the Playoffs, but playing for your country is special. It is from the heart. And representing your country, it is amazing.”

Steve Kerr had initially planned for Anthony Edwards to come off the bench for the United States in a role similar to Dwyane Wade played when Kobe Bryant started at shooting guard. 

Edwards didn't agree with Kerr and has since emerged as one of their best players and a definitive starter. 

“I mean, of course I wasn’t cool with it,” Edwards said. “If that’s what it takes, I mean, I am willing to do it, but nah, I’m never cool with that. … He said Dwyane Wade came off the bench when Kobe played. I was like, all right, we don’t have a Kobe, but all right. But it was cool.”

Edwards enters the World Cup averaging 19.2 points in their exhibition games.

Khaman Maluach has been named to the FIBA World Cup roster of South Sudan at the age of 16, making him the third-youngest player in the event's history.

The 7-foot-2 Maluach is a member of the NBA Africa Academy in Senegal, which he joined as a high school freshman in 2021, two years after he started playing basketball seriously while living in Uganda.

Maluach, who is slated to graduate high school in the summer of 2025, has scholarship offers from Duke, UCLA and Georgetown. He also has the option of going straight to the NBA draft as a 2006-born international prospect.

"Khaman's future is bright; everyone sees that," South Sudan basketball federation president Luol Deng told ESPN. "He is going to be a great player and it's exciting that people will get see him at the World Cup stage. This will be a great experience for him."

The United States looks ready for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. On Sunday, Team USA defeated Germany to cap a 5-0 run in the lead-up up the World Cup.

The United States also defeated Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain and Greece in the past two weeks. The victories over Spain and Germany saw Team USA come from behind to win each game.

Anthony Edwards scored 34 points to lead the Americans over the Germans. Edwards was Team USA's leading scoring during the five-game exhibition slate at 19.2 points per game on 51% shooting from the field.

Group C play opens on Saturday, August 26 with the United States taking on New Zealand. Team USA will also play Greece and Jordan in group play. The Americans are heavy favorites to advance at the top of the group, especially after Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece announced he would miss the tournament.

Jamal Murray has decided to not play for Team Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Murray cited the necessity to recover from last season's long NBA title run as the reason.

“When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” said Murray.

“In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament.  It’s still a dream of mine to represent Canada at the Olympics, and I will support the team every step of the way as they pursue this goal.”

Canada opens Group H play at the World Cup against France. Group H also includes Latvia, who will be without NBA star Kristaps Porzingis, and Lebanon.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece announced that he will miss the 2023 FIBA World Cup to continue to rehab from left knee surgery. Antetokounmpo had been included on Greece's initial roster, but it was recently determined that he's not ready to return to play yet.

Antetokounmpo underwent cleanup surgery on his left knee earlier this summer. After a follow-up meeting with his doctors in the United States, it was determined Antetokounmpo would not play in this summer's competition.

"After months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that I am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup," Antetokounmpo said on his Twitter account. "This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career. I am extremely disappointed in this outcome but this was a decision made with the medical staff."

Greece in Group C with the United States, Jordan and New Zealand. Team USA plays Greece in their second game of the group stage on August 28.

On Wednesday, news came out of Europe that Kristaps Porzingis might potentially miss the 2023 FIBA World Cup due to a foot injury. The Latvian Basketball association denied that this is the case in a tweet on Thursday.

"There has been information that questions the participation of Kristaps Porzingis in the FIBA ​​World Cup. LBS denies this information. Both the players' individual preparation plans and the team's overall training process are ongoing. The line-up for the match against the Dominican Republic will be announced on August 12," was tweeted by the Latvian Basketball association.

The previous reports of an injury had said that Latvia and the Boston Celtics would work together on an injury management and participation plan for Porzingis. Boston acquired the veteran big man in a three-team trade this summer, and subsequently signed Porzingis to a two-year, $60 million extension.