MANILA (Philippines) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has given hoops fans plenty of great highlights. Before we move into the Second Round, let's take a look at who were the best of each of the four groups and their highlights so far.

This not an official FIBA Award, but everybody loves accolades, so let's celebrate those First Round stars with special tailor-made highlights.

Group A - Karl-Anthony Towns - Dominican Republic

19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists 37 percent three-point field-goal shooting, 89 percent free throw shooting

It’s hard to argue against the best player on the team that for many were the top finishers in the group. Karl-Anthony Towns leads the Dominican Republic in scoring (19.3 points per game) and rebounds (7.7 rebounds per game) and also serves as the inspirational leader for the team which went 3-0 in Group A.

Group B - Nikola Jovic - Serbia

17.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 75 percent field goal shooting, 67 percent three-point shooting, 78 percent free throw shooting.

Nikola Jovic is not playing like a 20-year-old World Cup debutant. The forward has started games really hot and helped the Serbian offense find an early rhythm. The Miami Heat player has gotten better and better over the course of the tournament, highlighted by scoring 25 points on a perfect 9-of-9 shots including 5-of-5 threes and 2-of-3 free throws against South Sudan.

Group C - Anthony Edwards - USA

16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 16.7 efficiency

Sure, this could've been Rondae Hollis Jefferson, and it could've been Austin Reaves, but the reality is that Group C saw no better player than Anthony Edwards. The shooting guard was flying high for his dunks, his dribble drives always keep you guessing, and his shooting has been on target so far to make him a leader of this team. Edwards said he'll chase the scoring records in USA's books, and with his confidence and shape, it's a matter of time when he'll set all sorts of new marks in USA basketball history.

Group D - Nikola Vucevic - Montenegro

20.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 2.0 blocks, 26.3 efficiency

One Nikola leads to the other. Nikola Vucevic has been at his very best in the national team jersey, making Montenegro the smallest nation population-wise to ever reach the sweet 16 of the World Cup, and his efficiency has been off the charts. He's not afraid to shoot it from outside the arc, and he's got two big challenges coming up in facing Georgios Papagiannis and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the next round.

Group E - Dennis Schroder - Germany

19.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals, 20.7 efficiency

Dennis Schroder intends to write more history with Germany and he's proving it on the court thus far, leading his side to a 3-0 sweep of Group E. The NBA vet is in the midst of a hot streak, too, having scored in twin-digits in each of his eight games in the World Cup - including 30 versus Australia to become the second German player to score 30-plus points in a World Cup game after Dirk Nowitzki.

Group F - Luka Doncic - Slovenia

30.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 3.0 steals, 32.3 efficiency

Luka Doncic is just in his maiden appearance but he wasted no time showing his magic, powering Slovenia on top of Group F unbeaten (3-0). In his debut, he made 37 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists versus Venezuela to score the fourth-most points by a player in their first World Cup game. The 24-year-old proceeded to drop 34-10-6 against Georgia the following outing, making us all believe that he could, one day, tally the first triple-double in the history of the World Cup.

Group G - Willy Hernangomez - Spain

17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 58.8 percent field-goal shooting

This is the first World Cup where Spain doesn't have a single Gasol brother anchoring the middle (though Pau is anchoring as the Global Ambassador for the competition). Not to worry, though, because Willy Hernangomez has risen to the challenge. The 29-year-old is putting up 17.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 58.8 percent from the field. Not surprisingly, he has been Spain's most efficient guy on the floor so far. 

Group H - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Canada

22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 28.7 EFF

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of spectacular in his World Cup debut for Canada. He’s top five in the tournament in scoring and top three in overall efficiency. He also sports sick handles that has put his defenders on skates time and again. For sure, SGA is dead set on leading Canada to a deep run in the tournament.

*The choices for the best players are entirely subjective and are in no way a true official FIBA Award. This has been designed by the Editorial team for the entertainment the fans.

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