SINGAPORE (Singapore) - The stage is set, and for the third straight year we will crown a champion of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.
Sesi Franca took the trophy back to Brazil with a buzzer-beater in 2023, while Unicaja stormed to the title in impressive fashion last season.
The format of the competition remains the same this year, too. The six teams are located in two groups of three, and after playing head-to-head, the group winners will meet in the Final, the second-placed teams will battle for third spot in the event, while the bottom placed teams from both groups fight for fifth spot.
Final standings of the previous two events in Singapore
Year | Champion | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place | 5th Place | 6th Place |
2023 | Sesi Franca (BRA) | Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER) | Zhejiang Golden Bulls (CHN) | Al Ahly (EGY) | NBA G League Ignite (USA) | Al Manama (BRN) |
2024 | Unicaja (ESP) | NBA G League United (USA) | Tasmania JackJumpers (AUS) | Al Riyadi (LBN) | Petro de Luanda (ANG) | Quimsa (ARG) |
Who is playing in Group B in 2025?
Of the six qualified teams for this event, Flamengo have the most success, winning the Intercontinental Cup twice, in 2014 and 2022.
The Brazilian giants are returning as the winners of the Basketball Champions League Americas, looking to win the trophy for the fifth time for the country. Along with their two titles, Sesi Franca and Sirio have also won this event.
If Flamengo are the Brazilian giants, consider the Illawarra Hawks at least that same size in Australian terms. The club qualified for the Intercontinental Cup by winning the NBL in 2025.
Last year, the JackJumpers represented Australia and finished third in Singapore. The Hawks will attempt to become the first ever Australian team to win the Intercontinental Cup.
Finally, the third member of Group B is coming from the United States. NBA G League United select team reached the Final last time around, but had to settle for silver.
This year, the team put together for this event could end a 51-year-long drought. The last team from the United States to win the Intercontinental Cup were the Maryland Terrapins in 1974.
Who are the players to watch?
The main reason why Flamengo won the BCL Americas Final Four last season: Alexey Borges.
The 29-year-old point guard was unstoppable and paced the offense perfectly, getting 24 points and 9 assists in the Semi-Finals against Sesi Franca, and backing it up with 15 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the championship game against Boca Juniors.
Borges enjoyed a successful summer with the national team, too, as he helped Brazil to their fifth FIBA AmeriCup title in Managua, Nicaragua.
The biggest star of the entire 2025 event is on the Hawks' roster. Illawarra brought in JaVale McGee, three-time NBA champion, and an Olympic champion representing the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
McGee played nearly 1000 NBA games in the Regular Season and the Playoffs, and spent the last season with Vaqueros de Bayamon, winning the BSN championship in Puerto Rico.
McGee is not the only big man ready to shine in Singapore. NBA G League United's Jamarion Sharp stands tall at 7'5'' (226cm), and he led the NCAA in blocks in 2022 and 2023.
The 24-year-old spent the last season with the Texas Legends, averaging a stunning 3.2 blocks per game in the G League.
Schedule
Thursday, September 18: NBA G League United vs. Flamengo 17:00 local time (5:00 in USA, 6:00 in Brazil)
Friday, September 19: Illawarra Hawks vs. Flamengo 17:00 local time (19:00 in Australia, 6:00 in Brazil)
Saturday, September 20: NBA G League United vs. Illawarra Hawks 17:00 local time (5:00 in USA, 19:00 in Australia)