MIAMI (United State) – The countdown to the start of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 to be played in Brazil has begun. We are exactly 100 days away from the beginning of the excitement. There are so many things that will be at stake and as many to look forward to. Here are 100 reasons why we look forward to the opening day.

1. Who will take the trophy home in September? The FIBA AmeriCup Trophy is 60 centimeters tall, handcrafted in sterling silver, with a 24-karat gold-plated band. It has a map of the Americas engraved on the inner and outer surface, as well as all the continental champions. 

 

2. We are looking forward to seeing some of the best players in the region. In 1992 the then FIBA Americas Championship had members of the USA Dream Team present. Through the years other legends such as Oscar Schmidt (BRA), José "Piculín" Ortíz (PUR), Manu Ginóbili (ARG), Steve Nash (CAN), Kobe Bryant (USA) , Eduardo Nájera (MEX), Tim Duncan (USA), Al Horford (DOM), Leandrinho Barbosa (BRA) and LeBron James (USA) have played in the FIBA AmeriCup.

3. Brazil (1984 and 1988) and the United States (1992 and 1993, 1997 and 1999) are the only teams that have been crowned consecutive times. Can the United States do it for a third time?

4. Steve Nash (CAN - 1999 and 2003), Manu Ginóbili (ARG - 2001), Marcelinho Machado (BRA - 2005), Luis Scola (ARG - 2007, 2009, 2001 and 2015), Gustavo Ayón (MEX - 2013) and Jameel Warney (USA - 2017), have won the Most Valuable Player. Who will be the winner in this edition?

5. Who will make the All-Star team? In previous tournaments, names such as Carlos Arroyo (PUR), Andrés Nocioni (ARG), Al Horford (DOM) and Andrew Wiggins (CAN) appeared there. In the 2017 edition, the Quintet was made up of Facundo Campazzo (ARG), Francisco Cruz (MEX), Darrun Hillard (USA), Nicolás Brussino (ARG) and Jameel Warney (USA).

6. Argentina has won silver the most, with six. Surely, they will prefer the gold medal, will 2022 be their year?

7. The Argentines, with five bronze medals, have also finished third the most. Who will don bronze in 2022?

8. Venezuela gave one of the biggest surprises of the AmeriCup in 2015 by beating Canada in the Semi-Finals, who had nine NBA players on their roster. Which team can pull the upset in 2022?

9. Which team will fall the most? No one, of course, wants to be the answer to this question. But if we talk about recent history, Brazil comes to mind after finishing 10th in the 2017 tournament.

10. Which name will we remember most? Braian Angola (COL) has looked like one of the players with the great offensive skills in the AmeriCup Qualifiers and in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers. In this tournament he could be one of the men who is a walking bucket. Similarly, Jezreel De Jesús (PUR) and Bruno Fitipaldo (URU) could also be names to remember.

 

11. We also want to find out who are the most talented young players. Agustin Ubal, from Uruguay (18 years old, 11 points) and forward Yahir Bonilla, from Mexico (19 years old, 9- points vs USA), have been showing their talent in the World Cup Qualifiers.

12. We're so excited to continue to see our favorite veterans. Víctor Liz (36 years old - DOM), Orlando Méndez (36 - MEX), Gregory Vargas (36 - VEN) and Carlos Delfino (39 - ARG), are some of the veterans who continue to perform at a high level today with their national teams and are expected to keep up the pace in the continental tournament.

13. John Cox (VEN - 20.3 PTS), Andrew Nicholson (CAN - 10.0 REB) and Fulvio Chiantia (BRA - 7.0 AST) were the leaders of some of the most important categories in the last AmeriCup. Who will be this edition's leaders?

14. Oscar Schmidt (BRA) has the best scoring average in AmeriCup history with 32.8 points in the 1989 edition. Can anyone top him this time?

15. Will any player be able to break the AmeriCup record of 51 points in a game set by Esteban Camisassa (ARG) vs. Mexico in 1984?

16. Who are the best players of each gameday?

17. Who will star in the most outstanding plays?

18. Néstor García (ARG), Gustavo Conti (BRA), Melvyn López (DOM), Omar Quintero (MEX), Flor Meléndez (PAN), Nelson Colón (PUR), Rubén Magnano (URU) and Fernando Duró (VEN) are some of the coaches called to be in the AmeriCup. Who will best execute their strategies?

19. Who will have the craziest stat?

20. Marcelo Milanesio (ARG), Oscar Schmidt (BRA), Marcelo Capalbo (URU), José “Piculín” Ortíz (PUR), José Vargas (DOM) and Carl Herrera (VEN), established themselves as legends in their respective countries. Who will leave the AmeriCup as a legend?

21. Which players are not afraid to take responsibility? Michael Jordan (USA), Kobe Bryant (USA), Luis Scola (ARG), Oscar Schmidt (BRA), José Barea (PUR), Steve Nash (CAN), are a few of the players who always stepped up when their teams they needed them the most in AmeriCup action.

22. Players like Facundo Campazzo (ARG), Kyle Wiltjer (CAN), Gabriel Girón (MEX), Víctor Liz (DOM) or Heissler Guillent (VEN) raise their level of competition more when they wear the jersey of their national team. Will there be any other player who shows that quality?

23. To learn the history of each player.

24. We're also looking forward to watching veteran coach magic. The Puerto Rican Flor Meléndez (PAN) and the Argentine Rubén Magnano (URU), will be the most experienced head coaches in the event. 

25. Gustavo Conti (BRA) and Nelson Colón (PUR) will be head coaches of their respective national teams for the first time in the continental tournament.

26. We are looking forward to seeing what each head coach puts in to place to get the most out of their teams.

27. The United States (1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2007 and 2017), Brazil (1984, 1988, 2005 and 2009), Puerto Rico (1980, 1989 and 1995), Argentina (2001 and 2011), Mexico (2013) and Venezuela (2015) are the only countries that have raised the championship trophy. Will another squad be able to join these memorable teams?

28. We are looking forward to breaking down the statistics during the tournament.

29. Puerto Rico (1980), Brazil (1984), the United States (1992 and 2007) and Argentina (2001 and 2011) have been crowned in front of their home crowds. USA and Argentina have done it twice. Brazil has the opportunity to add one more to their record.

30. Will Argentina head coach Néstor García be able to repeat the continental title that he achieved with Venezuela in 2015?

31. The Dominican Republic (1989), Puerto Rico (1989 and 2005), Brazil (1993), Venezuela (1997 and 2005), Canada (2005), Argentina (2005) and Brazil (2005) are the teams that have been able to beat the USA in the AmeriCup. Who will be next?

32. We love basketball.

33. Your country's team will play.

34. We can't wait to see who becomes a fan favorite. In the AmeriCup Qualifiers, each national team had players who stood out along the way and who earned the admiration of the fans, such as José Vildoza and Máximo Fjellerup (ARG), George De Paula and Lucas Dias (BRA), Kaza Kajami -Keane and Phil Scrubb (CAN), Hansel Atencia and Tonny Trocha (COL), Joe Johnson and Brandon Bass (USA), Walter Hodge and Ivan Aska (ISV), Francisco “Pako” Cruz and Lucas Martínez (MEX), Tony Bishop Jr. and Trevor Gaskins (PAN), Gian Clavell and Isaiah Piñeiro (PUR), Eloy Vargas and Ángel Delgado (DOM), Bruno Fitipaldo and Luciano Parodi (URU), Michael Carrera and Heissler Guillent (VEN). 

35. We like playing basketball!

36. To learn more about this great sport.

37. To keep your team in high hopes. 

38. To rejoice in victory.

39. We're even excited to suffer in defeat.

40. To feel pride in your country.

41. The pride you feel of listening to your national anthem.

42. Michael Jordan, "Magic" Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Christian Laettner inaugurated a new era of basketball by defeating Cuba, 136-57, on June 28, 1992 at the FIBA AmeriCup 1992. What will happen in this edition that will serve as a benchmark?

43. Did you know, the first appearance of the USA Dream Team was at the FIBA AmeriCup 1992. Thirty years ago, the most famous basketball team in history was presented to the world in Portland, Oregon. Which future stars will debut in September?

44. We can’t wait to feel butterflies in our stomachs before each game.

45. We can’t wait to be dazzled by the splendor of the champion trophy.

46. Forget our daily routine for a moment.

47. Enjoy a moment with the family.

48. Have a great time.

49. Enjoy the best basketball in the Americas.

50. If you don't like basketball, this tournament might change your heart. 

51.  To see the thrilling close finishes.

52. See if there will be any game-defining last-second shots.

53. Enjoy free basketball if games go into overtime.

54. Admire blocks, assists and even charges!

55. Have fun with the tournament mascot.

56. Listen to the music choice of the arena every time there is a break in the action.

57. To see if any crazy fans will be in attendance?

58. Release some endorphins.

59. Love or hate referees.

60. Know what level your team sits at versus some of the best in the world.

61. To find out the final rosters of our favorite teams. Although the 12 representatives of each team in the AmeriCup 2022 will be unknown for a while Argentina's, and NBA player, Facundo Campazzo commented that it was a priority to defend the national colors in the summer. The same goes for José Alvarado, from Puerto Rico.

62. Enjoy Media Day for each participating team.

63. See in what physical condition the players arrive in Brazil.

64. Find out what strengths your national team has.

65. Know what your national team needs to improve.

66. Dive into the details of the game.

67. Compare the level of the Americas regional teams with the rest of the world.

68. Traditionally it is thought that the host team has an advantage over their rivals because they have the support of their fans. Will Brazil be able to enjoy home cooking?

69. Compare the players of the past with the current ones.

70. Evaluate the style of play of yesteryear with that of now.

71. See the world class level of organization of the AmeriCup.

 

72. Find out if your national team will don new uniforms.

73. Check out your favorite players' style and kicks.  Will we see any surprising designs?

74. See which players will grow their own brands to become household names. 

75. Read the stories from respected journalists around the world.

76. Listen to your favorite broadcasters.

77. See which team will have the best plays when the tournament ends.

78. Find out which personalities, celebrities and former players will attend the games.

79. Will there be any honorees during the tournament.

80. Pretend you're an agent and see who's the sleeper with a lot of talent.

81. Pretend you're a recruiter and target who you want to sign to your favorite club. 

82. If you are a coach, pick up different plays and replicate them in your team's gameplan.

83. To see the court design unveiling. 

84. See how the arena will be decorated.

85. Listen to the chants, see the creativity of the fans in the stands.

 

86. Observe how lively the home crowd can be.

87. Find out how the medals will be designed.

88. Stay up to date with tournament information by checking the official website.

89. Look for the photos of each game and discover which ones you like the most to make them your phone wallpaper.

90. Follow the official @AmeriCup accounts on social media.

91. It is summer and you will be on vacation.

92. Travel and discover Brazil.

93. Learn about the host cities, Brasilia and Recife.

94. Know more about the culture of Brazil.

95. If you have the opportunity to go to the tournament, to be able to meet your favorite players and take a picture with them.

96. Enjoy a few days at the beach in Recife.

97. Having the perfect excuse to share with friends.

98. Eat the perfect snack while you watch the games.

99. To get your hands on tickets! 

100. Even if you can't physcially go, you have multiple platforms to watch the games in your home.

Wow! You've made it to the end! We're glad you're just as thrilled as we are. See you in September!

FIBA