MIES (Switzerland) - As teams begin their final push for a place at next year's World Cup in Qatar, they are putting their best foot forward.
Perhaps nowhere is that intent clearer than Japan, with the return of both their NBA-contracted stars - Rui Hachimura and Yuki Kawamura.
But beyond AKATSUKI JAPAN, there are multiple main characters across the 12 squads ready to Step It Up come tip-off on August 27.
Here are our top 10 players to watch in the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Rui Hachimura - Japan
FORWARD
Birth Date: Feb 8, 1998 (28 years old) Height: 205 cm / 6'9"
Hachimura’s national appearances may have been limited the in recent years, but the former Gonzaga bulldog is an old hand when it comes to FIBA basketball.
Japan started World Cup Qualifiers 2019 with 4 consecutive losses. Then, in Rui Hachimura's senior national team debut on June 29, 2018, Japan won their first game against Australia in Chiba.
They went on an 8-game winning streak to finish the World Cup Qualifiers, eventually earning themselves a spot at the World Cup in China.
The power forward made his international debut way back in the U16 Asia Cup 2013. His first senior stint would come during the World Cup 2019 Qualifiers, and his most recent call-up was at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As far as Japan are concerned, the newly signed Clipper's return is well timed. Japan finished on top of Group B in the First Round, and what better way to bolster their roster than with the addition of arguably one of their best ever?
Hansen Yang - China
CENTER
Birth Date: Jun 26, 2005 (21 years old) Height: 216 cm / 7'1"
Hansen’s Window 3 numbers weren’t exceptional, but they weren’t abysmal either. For a rare talent touted as China’'s Nikola Jokic, the Portland Trailblazer will be raring to improve upon his 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game production in July - should he be lined up on the final roster.
Team Dragon’s 3-3 First Round record meant they moved forward in third place from Group B.
Facing physically strong West Asian setups in the Second Round - Hansen’s interior play might prove pivotal in China’s third straight World Cup qualification bid.
Ali Mezher - Lebanon
GUARD
Birth Date: Mar 22, 1994 (32 years old) Height: 182 cm / 6'0"
Wael Arakji’s recent injury has signalled that the rest of the Cedars backcourt need to continue their heavy lifting. They have more than lived up to the task, with Mezher in particular tallying a whopping 15 assists in the previous window, an Asian Qualifiers record.
But with East Asia powerhouses to contend with in the Second Round - headlined by the lightning-quick perimeters of Korea - the Lebanese floor general will be up against their toughest tests yet.
Justin Brownlee - Philippines
FORWARD
Birth Date: Apr 23, 1988 (38 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'7"
The Philippines did what was required in the First Round, beating Guam twice to finish in the top three. Hardcore Gilas fans would even argue that they could have won two more games had the results against New Zealand gone their way.
Through all this, veteran Brownlee remained at his unflappable best leading in points, assists and overall efficiency.
Every time you feel the 38-year-old may be on his last legs, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel club pro finds a way to keep delivering.
Lee Hyunjung - Korea
FORWARD
Birth Date: Oct 23, 2000 (25 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'7"
Hyunjung missed Window 3, and his absence was felt but Korea made it through. Korea lost to Chinese Taipei but were able to beat Japan in a must-win situation and achieve progression.
Now the forward's return to the qualifying campaign trail after a spell in the NBA Summer League will be a welcome boost against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Alsuwailem (KSA)
CENTER
Birth Date: Mar 2, 1998 (28 years old) Height: 208 cm / 6'10"
Big Mo has been consistency personified in these Asian Qualifiers. The center’s top-three efficiency invariably sees him feature in every ‘game day top performers’ list.
The center is averaging a double-double of nearly 16 points and over 11 rebounds, besides two blocks.
But if Saudi Arabia are to make a historic debut in the World Cup, they will need much Mo than their power duo of Alsuwailem and Abdur-Rahkman putting up superlative showings.
Matin Aghajanpour (IRI)
FORWARD
Birth Date: Mar 14, 2001 (25 years old) Height: 198 cm / 6'6"
Iran put behind their Window 2 disappointment of losing to Jordan, by winning both their Window 3 assignments and finishing on top of Group C with a 5-1 record.
The 25-year-old forward has been rock solid, achieving double-digit scoring in 5 out of the 6 games.
Expect Aghajanpour to maintain this tempo against New Zealand and Philippines on August 28 and 30.
Luke Travers (AUS)
FORWARD
Birth Date: Sep 3, 2001 (24 years old) Height: 200 cm / 6'7"
There will be considerable intrigue around Travers as he could potentially return to the Boomers after almost exactly four years, since the World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers in August 2022.
Since then, the 24-year-old has added NBA pedigree to his name, having spent two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's currently listed in Australia's preliminary roster.
Now back in the NBL with his old Melbourne United crew, the swingman will be keen to ease into the green and gold setup, against Syria in Manila on August 28, followed by Jordan on August 30.
Shea Ili (NZL)
GUARD
Birth Date: Oct 6, 1992 (33 years old) Height: 184 cm / 6'0"
If Tall Blacks were able to keep a snapping-at-the-heels Philippines at bay in ‘THAT’ Window 3 game, then the return of point guard Shea Ili to the lineup was one of the prime reasons. His 21 points and 6 assists ensured New Zealand maintained their hold on the second spot in Group A.
The fact that Ili has played only two games so far in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers indicates he’s being primed for the all-important Second Round, and we can’t wait to see this wily vet back in action.
Jalen Harris (JOR)
GUARD
Birth Date: Aug 14, 1998 (28 years old) Height: 196 cm / 6'5"
Harris is always a threat on the floor and is one of those scorers who can heat up anytime. After an impressive start to the First Round, Falcons faltered versus Iran in Window 3. For Jordan to advance to the World Cup for only the fourth time - with the likes of Philippines, Australia and New Zealand standing in their way in the Second Round, their hopes will lie heavily on Harris’s shoulders.
FIBA