MIAMI (United States) – Only a few weeks remain before the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, with the first window set to take place from November 27 to December 1. As national teams finalize details, announce their preliminary rosters and get ready to return to action, it’s worth taking a moment to look back. The 2023 Qualifiers delivered unforgettable memories with heroic performances, clutch shots, and nights filled with passion and pride. Now, as a new edition is about to begin, reliving those moments is also a way to prepare for what’s coming. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from that memorable campaign.
Best team
Canada put on a tremendous collective display throughout the cycle. The team finished with an 11–1 record, their only loss coming in the penultimate game against Argentina on the road, though by then, they had already secured their ticket to the 2023 World Cup, clinching qualification one window earlier, in the fifth.
The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the Canadians’ dominance on both ends of the floor. They led the Qualifiers in points per game (97.7), three-point shooting percentage (42.6 percent), and free-throw percentage (75.4 percent). They also topped the charts in assists (21.2) and were co-leaders in blocks (3.8).
Best player
Brazil’s Bruno Caboclo appeared in 10 of his team’s 12 games and led all players in efficiency rating at 18.9. The 2.08m (6’10”) power forward averaged 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest.
His numbers ranked him fifth in scoring, second in field goal percentage (56.4 percent), fourth in rebounds, first in blocks, and third in double-doubles (3).
Top individual performances
Argentina’s forward Gabriel Deck, Bahamian sharpshooter Buddy Hield and Cuban big man Jasiel Rivero all posted a game efficiency rating of 36— the highest among all players in the previous Qualifiers. Of the three, only Deck managed to lead his team to victory, in Argentina’s commanding 95–77 win over the Bahamas.
# | Players | Game | Value | 2PM-2PA | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | PTS |
1. | 37 | 14-17 | 0-2 | 9-13 | 37 | ||
| 37 | 4-10 | 6-13 | 11-12 | 37 | ||
3. | 34 | 10-13 | 3-5 | 5-8 | 34 | ||
4. | 32 | 6-11 | 5-11 | 5-6 | 32 | ||
5. | 31 | 4-8 | 5-11 | 8-10 | 31 |
Teams that qualified
In the opening round, 12 of 16 teams advanced to the second phase. There, they were split into two new groups, carrying over their previous records, and the top seven ultimately earned tickets to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines. Final standings: Canada (11–1) United States (9–3) Dominican Republic (9–3) Puerto Rico (8–4) Mexico (8–4) Venezuela (8–4) Brazil (8–4)
Biggest upset
Argentina, the 2019 World Cup runner-up, controlled its own destiny heading into the final game of Window 6, hosting the Dominican Republic. The home side needed just one win to punch its ticket to the 2023 event, but squandered a 17-point lead and fell 79-75 in front of its fans.
With that loss, the albiceleste saw its streak of nine consecutive World Cup appearances come to an end, missing the tournament for the first time since 1982.
The MVP at home
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was already rising among the NBA’s elite, but his performances for Canada during this cycle cemented his leadership. The guard made his senior national team debut, appearing in three games— the last two of the first round and the first of the second. Over those contests, he averaged 26.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star described that FIBA experience as “great.” A couple of years later, he’s now the reigning NBA MVP and champion.
The shot
Point guard Tremont Waters gave Puerto Rico a dramatic 92–90 win over Brazil with a Tissot Buzzer Beater, a moment that proved crucial for the Boricuas’ qualification hopes. Puerto Rico had no margin for error, and with backs against the wall, still pulled off a huge road win against one of the tournament’s powerhouses. Watch it below:
The farewell
Esteban Batista closed his national team career during Uruguay’s final game of the last Qualifiers, against Mexico. The center — the only Uruguayan ever to play in the NBA (Atlanta Hawks) — is one of the most iconic figures in his country’s basketball history. He appeared in 116 games for the national team over a 20-year span.
The twist
Argentine coach Néstor “Che” García began the previous Qualifiers at the helm of his home country’s national team. He was later dismissed for what the Argentine Basketball Confederation (CAB) described as “personal reasons.” Less than a month later, he took over the Dominican Republic, and in the final game, guided them to a victory over his former team — on Argentine soil — to eliminate them from contention. It marked a poetic turn in García’s coaching journey, as he returned to lead the Dominican Republic to back-to-back World Cup appearances. The last time was at the 2019 World Cup in China.
FIBA