MIES (Switzerland) - Fasten your seat belt and get ready for another wild ride in the Americas Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

The third window tips off on Thursday, June 30. If the full-court shots, not-in-my-house swats, lobs and slam dunks from the first two windows are anything to go by, the action is going to be fast, furious and fun as countries take aim at the seven spots on offer for the World Cup, which will be staged in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

Whet your appetite for the 16 games coming up in the Americas Qualifiers by looking back at some of the great plays so far.

Mexico v USA (November 29, 2021)

Context: One day after scraping a 95-90 win over Cuba in Chihuahua City, the USA squared off against Group D rivals Mexico in a battle of 1-0 teams.

Hero: Isaiah Thomas, the two-time NBA All-Star, slung with pinpoint accuracy a one-handed alley-oop pass that Justin Anderson caught and jammed.

Outcome: Thomas collected one of his 10 assists on the play and also went on to score 21 points but Mexico hit back from a double-digit deficit at half-time to claim a 97-88 victory.

Brazil v Chile (November 26, 2021)

Context: The opening Group B game for both teams played in the famous Estadio Obras in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Hero: Bruno Caboclo didn't give up when Vitor Benite's attempted alley-oop pass was deflected by Chile big man Manuel Suarez. The tall 26-year-old Caboclo grabbed the ball outside the lane, took one step toward the hoop and slammed it home for a 37-25 Brazil advantage.

Outcome: The 2.6m (6ft 9in) Caboclo, one of the most gifted and athletic players ever to emerge on the South American continent, dunked his way to 14 points and also collected 13 rebounds for a team high +24 efficiency and Brazil won, 77-53.

Paraguay v Venezuela (February 26, 2022)

Context: Looking to build on their strong performance at the 2019 World Cup in China where they finished 14th out of 32 teams, and also continue their perfect start to the American Qualifiers campaign, the vinotinto took on 0-3 Paraguay in Group A.

Hero: There are two candidates because Garly Sojo gave new meaning to the phrase "laid-back player" and Heissler Guillent reminded everyone of his capacity to make difficult 3-pointers. Sojo slipped as he darted to the perimeter but still caught a pass from Guillent with one hand before flinging it back to his teammate, who drilled a 3-ball while falling down!

Outcome: The shot helped Venezuela pour it on against Paraguay, stretching their lead to 57-24 early in the third quarter. They romped to a 97-48 triumph to improve to 4-0 and stay a game clear of second-place Argentina (3-1) in the group.

Argentina v Panama (February 26, 2022)

Context: Argentina entered this game licking their wounds following a 71-58 beatdown in their own Estadio Obras in Buenos Aires by Venezuela. Panama had a chance to leapfrog Argentina into second place with a win.

Hero: Veteran Marcos Mata, with the game knotted at 49-49 in the last minute of the third quarter, ran back on defense after an Argentina turnover and rejected Josimar Ayarza, who was soaring in for a dunk.

Outcome: Panama still scored in the final seconds of the quarter for a 51-49 lead yet Mata's tremendous defense lifted Argentina's spirits and they outscored the opponents 16-7 in the fourth frame for a 65-58 victory. Mata had two blocks to go with his 13 points in a very important win for the home team.  

Chile v Colombia (February 25, 2022)

Context: Looking to breathe some life in the Americas Qualifiers campaign after falling twice to Brazil in the opening window, Chile, playing in the friendly confines of Valdivia, took on another 0-2 team, Colombia.

Hero: Chile guard Franco Morales first saved the ball before it fell out of bounds and then tip-toed while dribbling into space to launch a desperation, full-court heave.

Outcome: The 1.80m guard launched his attempt with less than a second remaining and made it to stretch Chile's advantage to 64-54. Chile carried the momentum into the fourth quarter and outscored Colombia, 26-22, to take the inside track to third place in the group and a spot in the Second Round.

FIBA