MIES (Switzerland) - What makes a player ‘one to watch’?
Is it the superstar billing? X-factor? Or return from a long absence?
Window 3 of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers promises multiple intriguing storylines that hit all of the above checkboxes.
As teams make their final stand in the First Round, expect these players to showcase their wares under the bright lights.
Here are 10 must-see names when Asian Qualifiers action resumes on June 29.
Junghyun Lee (KOR)
Guard
Date of Birth: Apr 14, 1999 Height: 190 cm / 6'3"
Group C is arguably the ‘group of death’ with all teams having won at least one game. This means that Window 3 will be the most decisive of all. Korea, in particular, have two crucial home games against Chinese Taipei and Japan. Korea’s second-highest scorer Junghyun will need to find a way to have at least one, if not two, monster shooting nights. To do that, he’ll have all the support he needs from the fans inside Goyang Gymnasium.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (KSA)
Guard
Date of Birth: Sep 1, 1994 Height: 193 cm / 6'4"
The reigning Asia Cup 2025 top scorer Abdur-Rahkman is fluid and effortless on the floor. In the solitary Window 2 game against Lebanon, Saudi Arabia received a 94-64 drubbing. Now facing Qatar twice and Lebanon, Abdur-Rahkman will not only need to maintain his 22.3 points per game tempo, but also find a way to inspire his teammates to follow in his wake.
Tyrese Proctor (AUS)
Point Guard
Date of Birth: Apr 1, 2004 Height: 193 cm / 6'4"
22-year-old Proctor already has a CV that seasoned veterans will be happy with. He debuted with the Boomers as a 16-year-old and was part of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup winning team at 18. Thereafter, the former Duke Blue Devil was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA Draft. Right in his rookie season he appeared in 50 regular season games on a team that reached the Eastern Conference finals. The 3-and-D guard will be bringing this wealth of experience to the Asian Qualifiers against Guam and Philippines.
Bryce Cotton (AUS)
Guard
Date of Birth: Aug 11, 1992 Height: 183 cm / 6'0"
The six-time NBL MVP will finally be making his Boomers debut at the ripe age of 33. The dynamic point guard is an elite shot creator who can score at all three levels. Adding lustre to the occasion is the fact that he will be donning the green and gold for the first time in Perth - familiar terrain for the former Perth Wildcat where he spent nine seasons.
Tai Webster (NZL)
Guard
Date of Birth: May 29, 1995 Height: 193 cm / 6'4"
A Tall Blacks returnee after a long gap of seven years, Webster last played in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. New Zealand have clearly preferred going with an experienced lineup in Window 3, after splitting the opening two windows with equal number of wins and losses.
Webster’s impact against Philippines on July 3 will be closely watched, considering that their previous head-to-head went right down to the wire before winning 69-66.
Justine Baltazar (PHI)
Forward
Date of Birth: Feb 19, 1997 Height: 207.26 cm / 6'10"
The stretch forward is an excellent pick-and-roll defender and an evolving face-up scorer. While not a traditional low-post center, Baltazar is expected to shore up Philippines' size requirements in his return to Gilas against the likes of New Zealand and Australia in Window 3. The former #1 PBA Draft pick is going to have his work cut out against Oceania’s heavyweights. Expect Balti to bring his A-game and then some.
BJ Freeman (GUM)
Shooting Guard
Date of Birth: Jul 11, 2002 Height: 191 cm / 6'3"
Freeman was brought into the Guam lineup in Window 2 with high expectations. The 191 cm / 6'3" swingman had an immediate impact against the mighty Aussies with 25 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter itself. Thereafter, the 23-year-old gradually tapered, scoring just 11 against New Zealand. With the same two opponents yet again in Window 3, Freeman will need to dig deep for Guam to even have a semblance of an upset against their powerful Oceanic rivals.
Keisei Tominaga (JPN)
Shooting Guard
Date of Birth: Feb 1, 2001 Height: 188 cm / 6'2"
Tominaga is a spark off the bench in a side that has multiple sparks. The sharpshooting guard adds a secondary scoring punch in the middle quarters and his mandate under Coach Dai Oketani will remain the same - launch those long-range missiles. The “Japanese Steph Curry” and former College Slam 3-point Championship winner will be sure to comply.
Yang Hansen (CHN)
Center
Date of Birth: Jun 26, 2005 Height: 216 cm / 7'1"
China’s newest Great Wall, Hansen brings more than just elite size. The up-and-coming center’s game is crafted perfectly for a modern big. He’s comfortable creating from the high post in pick and roll situations and has a soft touch around the rim. No wonder he was the third-highest Chinese player to ever be drafted into the NBA. As the 20-year-old Portland Trailblazer continues to develop his repertoire on both ends of the floor, the World Cup Qualifiers could be the perfect platform for his continued evolution.
Karim Zeinoun (LBN)
Guard
Date of Birth: Jun 16, 1999 Height: 188 cm / 6'2"
Zeinoun marks his return to the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers after missing Window 2. The long-range shooting guard also has a way of sneaking up on his opponents, as his 2.2 steals per game in the Asia Cup 2025 attests. The 27-year-old often flies under the radar when compared to a backcourt superstar like Wael Arakji, but the Al Riyadi pro remains quietly efficient from the field.
FIBA