MIAMI (United States) — In early July, Window 3 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers concluded, with 12 teams advancing to the Second Round. Now, in late August, national teams return for two games apiece in Window 4.
The third window was critical in shaping which seven teams from the Americas will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. Before we fully shift our gaze toward Window 4, let’s take a look back at the best players, teams, performances, and records that were set during Window 3 here.
The Players
Yahir Bonilla (MEX)
Bonilla was the undisputed star of Window 3, averaging 25.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game on 60.5 percent shooting. In Mexico’s first game against Nicaragua, the 23-year-old stuffed the stat sheet in a 98-79 win. He tallied 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks with an efficiency rating of 36, then followed that up with 25 points, 17 rebounds and 2 steals against the United States, the top-ranked team in the FIBA World Rankings, presented by Nike.
Yago Santos (BRA)
Santos was key to Brazil’s 2-0 record in Window 3, averaging 23.0 points and 10.0 assists in just 26.5 minutes per game. Against Venezuela, Santos had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. He followed that up two days later with 26 points and 7 assists against Colombia, securing a +30. Santos is just one summer removed from leading Brazil to gold at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025.
V.J. Edgecombe Jr. (BAH)
Making his FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers debut, Edgecombe did not disappoint in Window 3. Through two games, he averaged 22.5 points per game, good enough for third in the Americas Qualifiers. In a 123-74 win over Jamaica, Edgecombe recorded 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Days later against Puerto Rico, the Philadelphia 76er posted 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (CAN)
The back-to-back reigning NBA MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander continued his success in FIBA basketball. To open Canada’s Window 3 slate, he scored a game-high 26 points, while adding 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a 110-84 pummeling of Puerto Rico. Then, in a 116-78 win against Jamaica, he had 16 points and 5 assists in 20 minutes of action.
Torrey Craig (USA)
Craig’s impact in Window 3 went well beyond his averages of 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, as his clutch heroics led the United States to a perfect 2-0 record. Against the Dominican Republic, Craig drilled a three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to give the United States the lead in an 82-81 win. Now against Mexico, Craig hit a three-pointer with 1:43 left to give the United States the lead in a 94-93 win as part of a team-high 23-point effort.
The Teams
Canada
Canada is coming off one of the most dominant single-window performances in Americas Qualifiers history, defeating Puerto Rico and Jamaica by a combined 64 points in Window 3 to secure a 6-0 First Round finish. During Window 2, the North Americans defeated those two Caribbean nations by a combined 27 points. Canada’s roster featured many NBA stars, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Nembhard and Dillon Brooks.
Brazil
Like Canada, Brazil’s 2-0 record in Window 3 secured a perfect 6-0 finish in the First Round. The South Americans began by defeating Venezuela 103-88 before another dominant offensive display against Colombia with a 104-80 victory. Brazil dominated Group C throughout the First Round, finishing with a +110 point differential in addition to an unblemished record.
Argentina
Argentina’s Window 3 wasn’t enough to secure first place in Group D, but it was nearly the best result the team could have asked for with two road games. The Argentines began with a 91-76 win over Uruguay, handing the team their first loss and getting revenge for the February 2026 result. Then, Argentina dominated Panama 96-71 to close out the First Round.
Chile
This team entered Window 3 with their backs against the wall. The team was 0-4, with the chance of advancing to the Second Round appearing grim. However, Chile took care of business and advanced to the Second Round for the first time in the nation’s history. Chile closed out a nail-biter against Colombia on the road with an 81-79 victory before a 78-66 win over Venezuela helped the team make history.
The Individual Performances
Yago Santos (BRA)
In Brazil’s 103-88 victory over Venezuela to open Window 3, Santos delivered a game to remember. He had 20 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals for an efficiency rating of 34. The point guard’s 13 assists tied for the second-highest single-game assist total in the history of the Americas Qualifiers.
Joel Soriano (DOM)
Soriano closed out the First Round by making history. In the Dominican Republic’s 99-76 victory over Nicaragua, he set a new Americas Qualifiers record with seven blocks. Overall, he posted 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks in 24 minutes. The big man has been key for the Dominican Republic throughout the qualifiers, appearing in all six games.
Yahir Bonilla & Pako Cruz (MEX)
Mexico fell just short against the United States in a 94-93 defeat, but Bonilla and Cruz delivered performances to remember. Bonilla had a dominant 25 points, 17 rebounds and 2 steals, while Cruz scored 30 points and added 4 assists. Cruz’s 30 points were the most points scored by any player during Window 3.
The Records
In Window 3, Canada’s offense was unstoppable. In the team's first game against Puerto Rico, Canada made 46 field goals to tie the Americas Qualifiers record held alongside the United States. Then, just days later against Jamaica, Canada matched the mark with another 46 made field goals.
Joel Soriano’s seven blocks against Nicaragua set a new individual single-game record in the Americas Qualifiers. He surpassed the previous mark of six, set by Manny Suárez (Chile) against the Dominican Republic eight years ago. The Dominicans totaled 12 blocks, the most ever by any team in a single game in the Americas Qualifiers.
The Bahamas’ 123 points against Jamaica tied the record for points in a game. The United States previously scored 123 points twice: once in Window 1 against Nicaragua and again in Window 2 against Mexico.
FIBA