MIES (Switzerland) - As the lines get redrawn ahead of the second window of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, with new opponents and higher stakes, adaptability will be the name of the game.
From scoring bursts to stable leadership, steals to being a spark off the bench, blocks to boards, this dirty dozen will be ready to do whatever it takes to bring their country closer to the global showpiece.
Sam Mennenga - New Zealand
We liked him so much in the previous window, that he is the first name on our list. Already the rumor mill is starting to run that Mennenga may just be next in the Tall Black tradition of towering NBA centers.
A tireless rim runner, Mennenga was a lot to handle for Australia in the opening window. New Zealand nearly pulled off an upset, not once but twice. The 24-year-old was dominant in both games with impressive averages of 17.5 points and 8 boards, more than half coming on the offensive glass.
John Harper Jr - Japan
The 1.81M (5'11") point guard is returning to AKATSUKI JAPAN after a short absence. Against Mongolia in the first round of the Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, the 23-year-old put up an efficient 7 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. The fact that the Sun-Rockers Shibuya club rising star is back in training camp roster shows that new coach Dai Oketani may harbor high expectations from Harper Jr in this second go-around.
Jalen Harris - Jordan
The 'find' of Window 1, Harris brought NBA scoring swagger to the Middle East. After a 'quiet' 22 points in the opener against Syria, Harris exploded for 42 in the follow up game, the second-highest ever in a World Cup Qualifiers game.
But in Window 2, it gets harder for Harris, against Asian heavyweights Iran on February 27, followed by Iraq.
Can Harris continue where he left off?
Sergio El Darwich - Lebanon
In the incredibly intense 1-1 opening window against Qatar, Darwich led his team in steals, assists and blocks, besides being top 3 in points, rebounds and efficiency. He often flies under the radar thanks to the main star energy of Wael Arakji, Youssef Khayat or even Dedric Lawson. But assume Sergio to remain surgically efficient yet again, facing Saudi Arabia and India.
Hyunjung Lee - Korea
All adjectives used to describe Hyunjung’s heroics in Window 1 fall short. Korea made history by beating China back-to-back for the first time in their history. That would not have been possible without Hyunjung's other-worldly shooting. A World Cup Qualifying record 9 triples, soon followed by a 20-piece in game 2, underlined Hyunjung's consistency. All eyes will remain transfixed on this talismanic forward, when Korea takes on Chinese-Taipei and Japan next.
Junghyun Lee - Korea
Korea’s 'other' shooter Junghyun joined Hyunjung's party in the repeat win over China. Junghyun made the most of the Chinese defenders' gravity shift towards Hyunjung, scorching 6-of-7 from deep. With Hyunjung expected to continue to draw overwhelming attention in Window 2, a lot will ride on Junghyun's ability to capitalize on the open spaces.
Brandon Goodwin - Qatar
The man's got both 'good' and 'win' in his name. And the win was better than good, with Qatar registering their biggest upset over Lebanon, that too in Beirut. Goodwin was simply relentless through all eight quarters in Window 1, ably supported by the likes of Alen Hadzibegovic and Abdulrahman Saad.
If the World Cup hosts 2027 are making the rest of the basketball world sit up and take notice, a chunk of the credit must go to this indefatigable 30-year-old point guard. Will he #StepItUp again this window?
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman - Saudi Arabia
Admittedly, Abdur-Rahkman wasn’t really tested in the opening window against India. But the competition now gets significantly tougher against the likes of Lebanon and Qatar. The athletic guard has an effortlessness about his scoring, a trait reserved for the best of the best. Saudia Arabia's hopes of coming away with a statement win (or two) will hang on reigning Asia Cup scoring leader's ability to absorb high-stakes pressure.
Nick Kay - Australia
Australian basketball is less about glamour and more about ruthless execution. No one exemplifies this better than Nick Kay. Yes, Davo Hickey hit those game winners in Window 1. But it was the grind of forwards like Kay, that kept Boomers in the hunt. The Boomers' incredible depth makes it hard to predict who would be 'the' player to watch. Any Aussie can step up on any single night. But you can be sure Kay will provide the rock-solid foundation.
Zhou Qi - China
China's opening window - falling 0-2 to Korea - is something Team Dragon would want to consign to the dustbins of memory. Unfortunately for them, yet another hot shooting team in Japan stands in their way - besides Chinese-Taipei - in Window 2. But expect the Great Wall of China to remain unperturbed in the paint. The 2.12 M (6'11") center averaged a near 14 point-14 rebound double double in Window 1. We should be able to assume similar numbers this time too.
The key question though: Will Zhou Qi get enough of a boost from his backcourt buddies?
Quentin Millora-Brown - Philippines
Will he? Won’t he? Will he? Won’t he?
After a lot of back and forth, we can now officially confirm that ‘QMB’ will definitely be suiting up for Gilas in the upcoming window.
The 206 M (6'9") center is a bona fide pest on the glass. His team-leading 18 rebounds in Window 1 was instrumental in Philippines setting a new Asian Qualifiers rebounding record. Still only 25-years-old, expect to see a lot more of him in coming years, selection dramas notwithstanding.
Justin Lu - Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei threatened Japan for a large part of game 2 in the opening window, before getting outgunned in the fourth quarter. Lu put up very respectable and balanced averages of 16.5 points and 6 rebounds across the two head-to-heads. The fact that the 1.88M (6'2") forward shot only 20 percent from beyond the arc shows he can easily be a 20 point per game scorer in Window 2, if his shots fall.
So who do you think will be the standout player in Window 2 of the Asian Qualifiers?
World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Games Window 2 tips off on February 26 and will continue till March 2. Stream the action on Courtside 1891, with live games and on-demand replays. Blackouts might apply in certain territories.
FIBA