MIAMI (USA) – We have reached the month of June which means there are less than 30 days left to relive the emotions of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers. In this region, some things are already defined. Nine national teams have secured their spot in the Second Phase but there are still three spaces to fill.

There is a lot at stake, so we leave you with 10 questions that will be answered during this third window:

1. Which stars will join their national teams in this third window?

By this time of year, several of the best players on the planet have finished or are about to finish their commitments in their respective leagues around the world, so some will be available to represent their country and we may see them competing in national colors.

Facundo Campazzo was public about his intention to play for Argentina. Same with Puerto Rico and point guard José Alvarado. Mexico summoned forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, despite the fact that he will be present in the NBA Finals. Canada announced a summer core team that boasts RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous- Alexander, Cory Joseph, Jamal Murray, Kelly Olynyk, and Dwight Powell. It is probable that other key players of the region will make an appearance.

2. Will Argentina win the rematch vs. Venezuela on the road?

One of the most exciting duels will be Venezuela vs. Argentina, in Puerto La Cruz. Venezuela, the hosts, are leading Group A undefeated (4-0) and beat the Argentines (3-1) in Buenos Aires. Néstor García’s squad will need to win to bring as many points as possible to the Second Phase.

We experienced a similar situation in the past AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers, as Venezuela prevailed as the visitor, but later Argentina responded with a win.

On this occasion, both teams have already secured their place in the next step, but the point system doesn’t allow anyone to relax.

3. Will Uruguay have the ability to stop Brazil in Group B at home?

It’s evident that Brazil is one of the most dominant teams in the Americas Qualifiers. Those led by Gustavo Conti average 90.5 points per game and barely allow 61.8, making them the undefeated leaders (4-0) in Group B.

No rival has been able to overshadow the Brazilians so far. Uruguay are second in the group (3-1). In the last window when they faced each other, Uruguay were defeated 85-66. However, they will now be at home for the first time in these Qualifiers so they could put more pressure on the Brazilians.

4. Will anyone in Group C spoil Canada’s undefeated record?

If Brazil has looked solid, Canada has looked even better. The Canadians have scored the most points in the Qualifiers and they are the only ones averaging over 100 per game (101.8).

The North Americans overwhelmed the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas with victories of more than 20 points. But they only won by six points (85-79) against the Dominican Republic, in the city of Santo Domingo. They meet again in the third window and the Dominicans, although they will be visitors, may have a chance to break the undefeated Canadians.

Fortunately for Canada, they will have several NBA players on their squad and Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse on the bench. It would be a real feat to beat this team.

5. Will Puerto Rico be stronger at home and drop USA or Mexico from the first two places in Group D?

Puerto Rico has yet to play in front of their fans and still they have managed to secure their ticket to the next round with a 2-2 record to place themselves in the third position in Group D. Now that they will be at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, it will be interesting to see if those led by Nelson Colón can go one step further against the rivals that are surpassing them so far.

The challenge will not be easy against the USA and Mexico, but it will undoubtedly serve to show what the Puerto Ricans are made of.

6. Will the Bahamas put the Virgin Islands out of contention?

The two Caribbean countries aspire to overcome the first group stage. The Bahamas (1-3) took the first round by dominating their rival 86-74 in the February window. While the Virgin Islands have not been able to savor a victory yet (0-4).

This time the Virgin Islands will host the Bahamas at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center in Charlotte Amelie, which in theory should increase their chances of success. With Canada and the Dominican Republic already qualified, this duel will practically be life or death.

7. Will Chile be ratified before Colombia?

Third place remains to be defined in Group B between Chile and Colombia. At the moment the Chileans are ahead after defeating the Colombians 90-76 at home in the previous window. An advantage that could be definitive because now Colombia are forced to win by 15 or more points, at the Elías Coliseum Chegwin from Barranquilla.

Chile and Colombia have been neck-and-neck since the last AmeriCup Qualifiers. Colombia came out on top and booked their ticket to Brazil. But Chile have been growing in their game and the time is right for a comeback.

8. Will we be able to see any big surprises?

So far the game results have been logical, according to the FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike and the performance of each national team in recent years. Perhaps the victory of Mexico over the United States in the first window could be classified as something surprising, but the Mexicans were playing at home with several of their best figures.

At this point it is difficult to imagine that any of the teams at the bottom of their group can beat those at the top, but there are plenty of examples from the past and the possibility is always open.

9. Will any player surpass the 37 points scored by Colombian Braian Angola?

In the first window Angola had an offensive explosion of 37 points, with six three-pointers and went 11-12 from the free throw line, in the match against Uruguay. But even then, his squad could not secure the victory. That has been the most points scored by a player in these Americas Qualifiers.

10. Will Paraguay show any improvement in this last stage of the first Group Stage?

So far Paraguay are the team with the worst points for and against ratio (-136) and have not secured a victory. However, they still have a chance of advancing to the next round in Group A.

The road is complicated because they need to beat Panama, as visitors, by at least 23 points so as to not depend on other results. But if they managed to stay close on the scoreboard and reach 70 points for the first time in these Qualifiers, they would be taking a small step forward.

FIBA