MIAMI (United States) – The start of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers brings the return of a loaded group of stars to their respective national teams. Continental standouts like Facundo Campazzo, Chris Duarte and Kyle Alexander are back after being absent in recent tournaments, including the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. These are the top returning players:
Facundo Campazzo - ARG
Position: Point Guard Age: 34 Height: 179 cm / 5'10"
The legendary point guard was one of the few Euroleague players granted permission to join his national team this window. Real Madrid cleared both Campazzo and fellow star Gabriel Deck to play for Argentina in their games against Cuba to start the Americas Qualifiers, where the South Americans will look to start strong after failing to qualify for the last one. Campazzo’s absence at the 2025 AmeriCup allowed younger players like José Vildoza and Gonzalo Corbalán to have bigger roles. And they didn’t disappoint, so his return can boost Argentina’s scoring and playmaking options.
Chris Duarte - DOM
Position: Shooting Guard Age: 28 Height: 196 cm / 6'5"
Duarte’s most recent appearance donning the Dominican jersey came at the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament in Greece, where they lost in the Semi-Finals to Croatia. There, the former Indiana Pacers shooting guard averaged 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. A similarly crucial role awaits the Unicaja (Spain) gunner in their games against Mexico, as he’ll be asked to step up in the absence of David Jones-García, among others.
Leo Meindl - BRA
Position: Small Forward Age: 32 Height: 201 cm / 6'7"
The 32-year-old’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for a Brazilian squad that will feature mostly players from their domestic league. In the absence of stars like Bruno Caboclo, Yago Santos and Gui Santos, Meindl must take on a bigger role on both ends of the floor. After averaging 9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, the veteran forward is a proven commodity for head coach Aleksandar Petrovic.
Kyle Alexander - CAN
Position: Power Forward Age: 29 Height: 207 cm / 6'9"
Alexander returns to the Canadian National Team for the first time since the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The big man has been strong for Türk Telekom, averaging 11.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in domestic league play and 10.8 points with 5.8 rebounds in the EuroCup. The 29-year-old will have his work cut out for him in the absence of Leonard Miller and Mfioundu Kabengele, who manned the middle during the AmeriCup 2025.
Jaime Echenique - COL
Position: Center Age: 28 Height: 213 cm / 7'0"
Colombia is taking no chances in the first window. The South Americans are bringing back their stellar trio of big men for the games against Venezuela, as Juan Tello and Andrés Ibargüen will be joined by Jaime Echenique. The 7-footer played six games for Colombia during the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers, averaging 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, but did not participate in the continental tournament played this past summer in Nicaragua. Now playing for Reggio Emilia in Italy, the former NBA big man is averaging 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 60.3 percent from the field.
FIBA