MIAMI (United States) — Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers is here, with the remaining 12 teams competing for seven spots in Doha, Qatar next summer.
With the field being trimmed from 16 to 12, the competition only gets steeper. Teams will rely on both veterans and young stars alike to reach the flagship event. These young players are expected to keep growing as the qualifiers continue.
Here are five players, 23 years old or younger, who you should keep your eyes on in Window 4.
V.J. Edgecombe Jr. - Bahamas
Position: Guard Date of birth: July 30, 2005 (21 years old) Height: 1.96 m / 6’5"
For the second time this summer, Edgecombe makes this list. In Window 3, Edgecombe returned to the Bahamian national team after nearly a two-year absence. Immediately, he showed why he is one of the best young talents not only in the Americas, but the entire world. In a must-win game against Jamaica, Edgecombe had 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals to help secure a 123-74 victory. He followed that up with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals versus Puerto Rico.
His 22.5 points per game rank third in all of the Americas Qualifiers, and he’ll look to continue his success in Window 4 on a team that also features Kai Jones and Buddy Hield. The Caribbeans will take on Uruguay and Panama this window.
Wini Silva - Brazil
Position: Center Date of birth: January 15, 2005 (21 years old) Height: 2.07 m / 6'9"
Granted the Rising Star Award in the First Round, Silva put his talent on display in Window 2 to help Brazil go 2-0. In the first game of the window, he put up 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 18 minutes against Venezuela. In a 101-72 win over Colombia, Silva had 10 points and 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes, as he consistently made the most of his time on the floor.
Before these Qualifiers, Silva only suited up for Brazil in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023, where he hardly played. Thus, Window 2 was the true breakout for Silva. Now, the 21-year-old big man will look to help Brazil take down the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Tyler Smith - USA
Position: Forward Date of birth: November 2, 2004 (21 years old) Height: 2.08 m / 6'10"
Smith will make his national team debut and is set to be the youngest player on the United States roster during Window 4 at just 21 years old. The 33rd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has spent time on two-way NBA contracts for multiple teams. Over the previous two years at the NBA level, he has averaged 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
The United States is 5-1 and takes on the two teams at the bottom of Group F, 3-3 Colombia and 2-4 Chile. Smith is expected to be a key member on a team that includes former NBA players, G-League players, and international players.
RJ Luis Jr. - Dominican Republic
Position: Forward Date of birth: November 27, 2002 (23 years old) Height: 1.90 m / 6'3"
Luis made his senior national team debut in July during Window 3, and he had a performance that is difficult to forget. Leading the way in a 99-76 win over Nicaragua, Luis came off the bench and had game highs of 22 points and 17 rebounds. He also had four steals and two blocks. Luis signed a two-way deal with the NBA’s Utah Jazz and spent time with the Celtics. He is now seeking a return to college basketball with the LSU Tigers.
The 6-foot-3 forward returns in Window 4 as the Dominican Republic faces a tough Brazil team on the road ahead of a home contest against Chile. The Dominicans bring a talented preliminary roster, which includes Andres Feliz, Jean Montero, David Jones and more.
Joaquin Taboada - Uruguay
Position: Shooting guard Date of birth: June 5, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 1.91 m / 6'3"
Taboada is perhaps the best Uruguayan player of his generation, starring at the youth level for the nation in 2022 and 2023. But it wasn’t until December 2025 that he made his debut at the senior national team level in Window 1. In Window 3, he truly had his breakout performance with a 27-point display on 10-of-14 shooting against Cuba. Throughout the five previous games, Taboada totaled just nine points.
Taboada will look to continue his stellar play in the Second Round as the competition gets fiercer. Uruguay’s path to qualifying for their first FIBA Basketball World Cup since 1986 begins with home matches against the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, and Taboada will play a notable rotational role.
FIBA