DOHA (Qatar) – Carmelo Anthony conducted the draw on stage in Doha, Qatar. Dirk Nowitzki came representing his country to present the Naismith Trophy on behalf of Germany, the reigning World Champion.
When they sat next to each other, the opportunity was too good to pass up—bringing back memories of their numerous battles, not only in the NBA, but also with their respective national teams.
Anything is possible now in basketball
"When I start I started playing for the German national team in the late 90s, we would have never thought this was possible that Germany will be world cup champions so I think that shows the growth of basketball and in Germany, the rest of the World, in Europe, all over the place," said Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 MVP.
"It’s been fun watching basketball grow the last two decades and more. And really anything is possible now in basketball, that's why all the tournaments are so exciting, the Qualification games are so exciting. We’re happy to be here."
In 2002, Nowitzki and Germany came up short in the Semi-Finals, but managed to bring home bronze medals.
"I wish I won it when I played but we weren’t quite good enough."
For 80 national teams, the dream of a lifetime will begin with the Qualifiers, Window 1, in November 2025.
"The journey starts in the qualifiers. If you have high ambition to win it and there should be a lot of teams that think they have the chance to win. It starts with qualifying," said Anthony after he was he was brought up to the stage.
"It will also be an interesting road, leading up a long journey to qualify here to Qatar. You have to have a great tournament. You have to stay healthy, you have to have the talent, you have to have the staff and coach and surroundings. So this will be a long journey until we meet here again in 2027, hopefully for a great tournament."
With his former rival sitting next to him on the beautiful stage, 'Dirk' had some kind words for 'Melo'.
"We’ve had some great games against each other, we’ve pushed each other and Melo knows he’s one of the purest scorers this game has seen because he’s a combination of speed, strength, and skill. Really whatever you threw at him, you couldn’t really guard him. So it always took a whole team to throw at him and stop him.
"He was one of the best players ever. I’m glad he’s supporting FIBA and keeps continuing to support FIBA and the international game because he’s won every trophy internationally. We’re glad he’s a part of this and that he’s here."
Anthony returned the compliment.
"This is somebody I grew up watching in Dirk. His post game and watching his footwork and how he operates in just small spaces. He was somebody that I always kind watched and kinda catered some of my game in the midpost around him. Then I got a chance to go up against him in the Playoffs and we took them out, but they wound up winning the championship a few years later, but those battles have always been fun to play against."
I think the World is excited
FIBA Global Ambassador Carmelo Anthony is also very much looking forward to the beginning of this journey.
"I’m excited, I think the world is excited. I think the players are excited. I just think the intensity level from what I’ve experienced in the previous World Cup has shot up ten times more than what it was before. I think the energy, I think the attentionality of the game, winning. You see the passion of winning, not just from certain teams. You see it from everybody, all teams that are playing.
"I think that this next World Cup, even the Qualifiers, it’s going to be exciting to watch and be a part of."
FIBA