MIAMI (United States) - Many players had strong performances during the first window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers and helped their team inch closer to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, but five players stood out among the rest. Here are the top performers from the competition’s November window.

Kyle Wiltjer – Canada

Wiltjer was a player to watch entering the competition after his last appearance for Canada during the 2019 edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, so it’s no surprise that he was one of Canada’s most dominant players on the court as they took on Bahamas. Averaging 24 points per game, Wiltjer accumulated 12 points in six minutes on Day 4 of action and averaged only 22 minutes per game as his impact helped Canada score 228 points combined between their two games in the window.

Jasiel Rivero – Cuba

The Cuban player showed his authority under the boards and was the key to challenge the United States and Puerto Rico, despite not achieving victory. During this first window, the 28-year-old averaged a double-double of 22.5 points (34 vs. USA) and 10.0 rebounds, in addition to 2.5 assists. Rivero not only controlled the paint, but also showed an effective perimeter game by shooting for 50% behind the arc (6-3). The power forward who belongs to Valencia of Spain finished second in the efficiency line with an average of 23.5.

Victor Liz – Dominican Republic

Averaging 19 points per game during the window, Liz had back-to-back double-digit performances over Virgin Islands including a 23-point game when they met for a second time during the window. Liz was an accurate shooter from the floor, going 7-of-7 from two-point range in his first appearance for Dominican Republic and shooting over 60 percent from the floor during the competition to help his country stay undefeated on home soil.

Paul Stoll – Mexico

Mexico had one of the most successful runs in a tough Group D with Puerto Rico, USA and Cuba. While Mexico narrowly escaped Puerto Rico in the dying seconds, they managed to get a strong victory over top-ranked USA thanks to performances from players like Stoll, who averaged 13 points and 12.5 assists per game including 18 points against USA. Stoll’s court vision and leadership helped him guide his team to an undefeated record in a tough group in front of their home crowd.

Daniel Giron – Mexico

The veteran forward became the "X factor" for Omar Quintero’s Mexico team, who had an extraordinary window, playing at home. Giron finished as Mexico's points leader with an average of 20.0 per game, with a very high 48 percent from long distance. Another key aspect of his game was the 6.5 assists he averaged.

Other players who also stood out in the first window and deserve a mention are the Argentine guard Carlos Delfino (16.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals), on his return to the national team, Uruguayan guard Bruno Fitipaldo (22.0 points and 17-8 in 3P), Colombian guard Braian Angola, leader in points (27.0), and two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, from USA (21.0 points and 6.5 assists).

FIBA