MUNICH (Germany) - The third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers sees the return of a number of top stars with their respective national teams.

The stakes are high with teams battling it out for places in the Second Round and these players could be the difference makers as they put on the national team jersey once again.

Davis BERTANS - Latvia

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: First Round vs Ukraine (A) - 01/07/2018

While Bertans last appeared in the World Cup Qualifiers four years ago, he did represent Latvia during the Pre-Qualifiers as they swept through with a perfect 4-0 record. Bertans reunites with his brother, Dairis, as they prepare to take on Serbia on home soil in Riga with both teams already through to the Second Round. Bertans gives Latvia another outside threat as they also take on Slovakia in their final game of Group A.

Nemanja BJELICA - Serbia

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Estonia (H) - 16/09/2018

Bjelica became an NBA champion for the first time with Golden State Warriors earlier this month, and is already answering the call for the national team. His last appearance in the World Cup Qualifiers came in a dominant Second Round win over Estonia in 2018. Serbia are already through to the Second Round again, but face an important test on the road against Latvia with Bjelica providing a boost inside along with towering center Boban Marjanovic.

Bojan BOGDANOVIC - Croatia

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Poland (A) - 17/09/2018

Bogdanovic returns to add a scoring punch for Croatia as they are in need of a change of fortunes with their World Cup hopes in the balance. The sharpshooter made four appearances during the last World Cup Qualifiers campaign and averaged 19.5 points per game, though Croatia came up short of making it to China. Bogdanovic is also joined by the returning Ivica Zubac as they aim to help Croatia to wins over Slovenia and Finland to make it through.

Luigi DATOME - Italy

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Hungary (A) - 17/09/2018

Datome is back for The Azzurri after being included in their updated squad for the window. The 34-year-old forward was part of the team that competed at the last World Cup in 2019, and will look to help Italy take another step towards next year's major tournament. Datome averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game during the last World Cup Qualifiers campaign and provides a welcome boost to Italy for their game with the Netherlands as they build momentum towards the next phase.

Luka DONCIC / Goran DRAGIC - Slovenia

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance for Doncic: Debut
Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance for Dragic: Debut

The dynamic duo from FIBA EuroBasket 2017 is back together in Slovenia national team colors. Dragic comes out of international retirement to play alongside Doncic again as they look to ensure Slovenia avoids a repeat of missing out on the World Cup. Neither player competed during the previous World Cup Qualifiers campaign and with Slovenia's place in the Second Round not yet confirmed, Dragic and Doncic made themselves available for the games against Croatia and Sweden.

Lauri MARKKANEN - Finland

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: First Round vs Iceland (H) - 02/07/2018

Markkanen's last appearance in the competition was certainly one to remember after dropping 28 points against Iceland almost four years ago. The now 25-year-old has more experience to bring back into the fold with the national team with Finland currently in a good position to make it to the Second Round with their 3-1 record. Markkanen bolsters the group leaders ahead of games at home to Sweden and then on the road against Croatia.

Frank NTILIKINA - France

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Debut

Unlike the returning Elie Okobo and Theo Maledon, Ntilikina was not part of the French squad during the last World Cup Qualifiers campaign, though he did play at the tournament in China as well as the 2020 Olympics. Ntilikina joins up with a team that has gone unbeaten through their First Round action so far ahead of final games against Montenegro and Hungary, and adds a different dynamic to the backcourt.

Tomas SATORANSKY - Czech Republic

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (A) - 16/09/2018

If ever there was a time that Czech Republic needed Satoransky, it was now. They face a tough task of making it out of the First Round with at least one win needed as they take on the group's top two in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania. Satoransky led his side in points, rebounds and assists in just two appearances in the previous World Cup Qualifiers campaign - including a win in Sarajevo - and it will be his leadership that will be just as important as his all-round skillset.

Dennis SCHRODER - Germany

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Israel (H) - 16/09/2018

Schroder is back for Germany ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 on home soil later in the summer. The playmaking guard averaged 23.5 points per game across four appearances in the last World Cup Qualifiers campaign, including a 30-point, 13-assist double-double in an overtime win over Israel. The two teams have already met again, in Group D, while Germany look to close out their strong start as they take on Estonia and Poland.

Aleksandar VEZENKOV - Bulgaria

Last World Cup Qualifiers appearance: Second Round vs Russia (A) - 16/09/2018

Vezenkov was a leading force for Bulgaria during the last World Cup Qualifiers campaign after putting up 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game across seven appearances. The 25-year-old recorded three double-doubles with a best of 28 points coming against Finland. Vezenkov is a welcome addition to the squad as Bulgaria look to cement their place in the Second Round as they are currently locked in a battle with Czech Republic to make it out of Group F.

FIBA