MIAMI (United States) – The Caribbean team was recently eliminated from the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, so they’ll be able to focus all their energies on the continental tournament, where they’ll try to match or improve their performance in the last edition – where they were the biggest surprise.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike: 57

After failing to get through first round of the FIBA Americas Qualifiers with a disappointing 0-6 record in Group C, the team remains ranked in a lower spot. In fact, in the latest update they dropped three spots in the ranking. They’re currently ranked 11th in the Americas.

AmeriCup debut: 2001

Their history in the biggest continental tournament is relatively young. They made their debut in the 10th edition, played in Argentina.

AmeriCup appearances (including 2022): 6

After their debut in 2001, they played three out of the next four AmeriCup editions, but then missed the next three before making a return in the most recent one.

Most recent appearance: 2017

They returned to the competition after eight years. Led by former NBA head coach Sam Mitchell, they got through a very tough group stage that included Argentina, Venezuela and Canada – despite being projected as the weakest team.

Best showing: 2017

In that occasion they advanced to the semifinals before losing to the United States, the eventual champions. They then lost to Mexico in the third-place game, finishing fourth overall.

Emblematic players:

Kevin Sheppard

One of the best point guards in the history of USVI basketball. The floor general started his NCAA Division I career at the University of Jacksonville before playing professionally in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Israel and Iran.

He donned his team’s jersey for over a decade and won a pair of silver medals at Centrobasket in 2006 and 2008. He also won CaribeBasket in two occasions (2011 and 2015).

Ja Ja Richards

The globetrotting big man had a 14-year career. His first professional contract came in Israel, but then had stops in another 10 countries, including China, Turkey and Italy. In 2001, he got a training camp invitation from the Philadelphia 76ers.

He made his Virgin Islands debut in 1997 and finished second at CaribeBasket in 2000 and 2006. He also led his country to three AmeriCup events: Argentina 2001, Puerto Rico 2003 and United States 2007.

Current star:

Walter Hodge

The point guard was the team’s star during the Qualifiers, leading the tournament by averaging 27.8 points per game and finishing third at 7.3 assists per game. He was just named the MVP of the Puerto Rican league and has professional experience in Italy and France. In the last 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, he shined by averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

At AmeriCup, he’ll need further contributions from his teammates to enhance the squad’s chances. Forward Ivan Aska has proven to be a dangerous weapon after averaging 13.2 points and 6.2 boards at the WC Qualifiers. The team is hoping to add Brooklyn Nets’ center Nic Claxton to make a difference in the paint on both ends of the floor.

How they qualified:

Cuba’s disqualification from Group C of the Qualifiers, after failing to show up to one of their games, opened the door for USVI as the third-place team in the group behind Canada and Dominican Republic, even though they couldn’t notch any wins in their four games.

Projection:

Between AmeriCup Qualifiers and 2023 FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers, they’re currently mired in a 10-game losing streak, so their projections are on the lower end. Their chances will depend on who they can add to the roster for the tournament. However, it will still be a tall task because they’ll share Group B with Argentina, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, all of them currently in better situations.

FIBA