MIAMI (United States) – After Window 5 everything remains very even in the Americas Qualifiers. Only Canada has secured their ticket to the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023.

There were teams that stepped up, others gave up ground in the contest, but several players did everything in their power to keep the dream alive. Let's see who were the most valuable players of each national squad.

Group E

Canada  
Kassius Robertson - Shooting Guard / 1.90 m / 1994
Stats: 14.5 PTS, 2.5 AST, 1.0 STL

The guard is just one of three Canadian players to have played in all 10 of his team's games in these Qualifiers. This time, Robertson was one of the main architects of getting Canada their World Cup ticket with solid performances in comfortable home victories against Venezuela and Panama.

Venezuela  
Néstor Colmenares - Power forward / 2.03 m / 1987
Stats: 8.5 PTS, 7.0 REB, 1.0 BLK

For the first time in the qualifiers Venezuela lost two straight games, but remained in a favorable position to secure their place in the World Cup. In the two defeats, Colmenares contributed on both sides of the court, always keeping his team with options, especially in the match against the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic  
Jean Montero - Point guard / 1.88 m / 2003
Stats: 14.5 PTS, 2.0 AST, 1.5 STL

New coach Nestor Garcia gave the 19-year-old a chance to prove his skill, since Víctor Liz was absent due to injury, and Montero succeeded. Against Argentina, in 14 minutes, he produced 7 points and showed out against Venezuela with 22 points, including the last six to cap a spectacular comeback and put his team within a shot of the World Cup.

Argentina  
Juan Pablo Vaulet - Small forward / 1.98 m / 1996
Stats: 14.0 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.5 BLK

In Argentina's AmeriCup title last September, Vaulet played an important role off the bench scoring 7 points in just 11.4 minutes per game. This time, without the presence of the main stars, he took a greater role and had a great showing, mainly in the win against the Bahamas with 19 points, making 9 of his 15 shots.

Bahamas  
David Nesbitt - Small forward / 2.00 m / 1991
Stats: 16.0 PTS, 8.0 REB, 2.0 STL

The veteran joined his Caribbean team for the first time in this second round and made it clear that he continues to be one of the most important men in the squad. It is no coincidence that with him on the team the Bahamas picked up their first victory in this phase against Panama and complicated things for Argentina. Nesbitt was effective in the attack and took custody of the boards.

Panama  
Trevor Gaskins - Point guard / 1.93 m / 1989
Stats: 11.5 PTS, 4.5 REB, 4.0 AST

Panama, even when they didn’t get the victory in the second round, had their veterans in good shape for these two games. Oglivie, Ayarza, Rodríguez and Gaskins made good appearances despite not being able to change the team's situation. However, the one who contributed the most overall was the left-handed point guard, who in addition to his points, passed the ball well and collaborated on the boards.

Group F

USA  
Langston Galloway - Point guard / 1.85 m / 1991
Stats: 18.5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 2.0 AST

With eight participations in these qualifiers, the former NBA player has been the player who has had the most performances with the North American team and in this fifth Window he showed why coach Jim Boylen has placed all his trust in him. Although the United States came out with a 1-1 record, taking their second loss, Galloway returned to the charge in their victory against Colombia with 23 points.

Brazil  
Bruno Caboclo - Power forward / 2.06 m / 1995
Stats: 20.0 PTS, 7.0 REB, 1.5 BLK

Perhaps the most missed player by any team in these qualifiers was Caboclo when he was unable to perform in the previous window. Brazil came into the fifth window with a three-loss streak. But with the return of the power forward the South American team recovered their form and picked up two key victories on the road against the United States and Mexico, with Caboclo looking dominant, as usual.

Puerto Rico  
Tremont Waters - Point guard / 1.60 m / 1998
Stats: 19.0 PTS, 6.0 AST, 3.5 STL

The point guard arrived for Puerto Rico in Window 4 and since then he has done nothing but charge the team offensively (including the AmeriCup). In this fifth window, he returned to his usual business and defended home court over Colombia and Uruguay, which put the Puerto Ricans in the fight for qualification. The legacy of Carlos Arroyo and José Juan Barea is in good hands with Waters.

Mexico  
Pako Cruz - Shooting guard / 1.90 m / 1989
Stats: 19.0 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.5 AST

Mexico left the window with a 1-1 record, but are still in a good position to reach the goal. The shooting guard who plays for Manisa BSB in Turkey was important in the duel against Uruguay by making 50 percent of his shots (6-12) for 18 points, in addition to 5 assists. And against Brazil he was the only one who put up a tough fight, with another 20 points.

Uruguay  
Esteban Batista - Center / 2.08 m / 1983
Stats: 19.5 PTS, 11.5 REB, 1.5 AST

At 39 years old, Batista has not missed a single game for his team in these qualifiers, and in this window he did everything possible so that Uruguay did not come out with the two losses (against Mexico and Puerto Rico), they had. The veteran was a true machine in both games but he lacked help.

Colombia  
Michaell Jackson - Small forward / 1.96 m / 1987
Stats: 18.0 PTS, 7.5 REB, 5.5 AST

The forward, despite being in all of Colombia's games, left his best performance against the group leader United States, with 25 points going 11-11 from the freethrow line. Colombia lost their two games and was out of contention but Jackson took a step forward for his team.

FIBA