MIES (Switzerland) - The road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 continues, with the Second Round of Qualifiers fast approaching and several spots still up for grabs.
With 24 teams still chasing their place at the tournament in Qatar, the pressure is building for those still battling to reach the promised land.
With four thrilling days of action to look forward to, here is a list of the players to watch out for in the August window.
Nikola Jokic – Serbia
CENTER
Birth Date: Feb 19, 1995 (31 years old) Height: 211cm / 6’11” Team: Denver Nuggets (USA)
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic will suit up as captain for Serbia in the August window, fresh off his triple-double in his homecoming against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will lead the Serbs as they host Iceland, then travel to Pesaro to take on Italy.
Jokic will look to guide Serbia back to the FIBA World Cup on the back of another solid season with the Nuggets, where he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists.
Victor Wembanyama – France
CENTER
Birth Date: Jan 4, 2004 (22 years old) Height: 222cm / 7’3” Team: San Antonio Spurs (USA)
The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama, last represented France at the Paris 2024 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament, helping the team secure a silver medal.
He averaged 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in Paris, and now he’s back with the national team, ready to lead France’s push toward the FIBA World Cup. France begin its Second Round at home against Slovenia, then they travel to Sweden.
Lauri Markkanen - Finland
POWER FORWARD / CENTER
Birth Date: May 22, 1997 (29 years old) Height: 213cm / 7’0” Team: Utah Jazz (USA)
Lauri Markkanen is arguably one of the most prolific scorers in international basketball. Since bursting onto the scene at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, the Finnish star has captivated audiences with his versatile offensive game, highlighted by his ability to attack the rim with power and precision.
He currently averages 18.5 points on 50 percent shooting in the World Cup Qualifiers, coming off the back of reaching a new high at last summer’s EuroBasket, where he posted 23.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while leading his country to a historic fourth-place finish - their best result ever at the competition.
Rudy Gobert – France
CENTER
Birth Date: Jun 26, 1992 (34 years old) Height: 215cm / 7’1” Team: Minnesota Timberwolves (USA)
After a strong return to the national fold following a two-year hiatus, Rudy Gobert averaged 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks over two games and will resume his international duty in the opening window of the Second Round.
Gobert will form an intimidating frontcourt duo with Victor Wembanyama, mixing rim protection and board dominance with interior offence and an outside presence. Slovenia and Sweden will have a tough ask getting anything past them.
Dennis Schroder – Germany
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: Sep 15, 1993 (32 years old) Height: 188cm / 6’2” Team: Charlotte Hornets (USA)
FIBA EuroBasket 2025 MVP Dennis Schroder electrified on the court in the last window of the Qualifiers, averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals, as the reigning World champions posted a pair of wins over Israel and Cyprus.
Now that he has his upcoming season sorted, having gone to the Charlotte Hornets, Schroder will look to do what he consistently does for Germany when they square off against the Netherlands and Poland – be their leader.
Ivica Zubac – Croatia
CENTER
Birth Date: Mar 18, 1997 (29 years old) Height: 215cm / 7’1” Team: Indiana Pacers (USA)
Ivica Zubac needed little time to adjust back to international basketball, as he returned to the Croatian fold for the first time since the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and posted two double-doubles against Cyprus and Israel while shooting a laser-accurate 81 percent from the field.
The big man will look to continue his dominant form when Croatia host Latvia and then hit the road to take on the Netherlands to tip off their Second Round campaign.
Jusuf Nurkic – Bosnia and Herzegovina
CENTER
Birth Date: Aug 23, 1994 (31 years old) Height: 214cm / 7’0” Team: Utah Jazz (USA)
After averaging 17 points and 8.7 rebounds per game at last summer’s EuroBasket, Jusuf Nurkic returns to the Bosnia and Herzegovina fold to provide much-needed rim protection, old-school physicality inside and scoring.
Ahead of their upcoming games against Italy and Lithuania, he will aim to lead the Bosnians to a successful opening window of the Second Round.
Neemias Queta – Portugal
CENTER
Birth Date: Jul 13, 1999 (27 years old) Height: 211cm / 6’11” Team: Boston Celtics (USA)
Neemias Queta showcased an aggressive, physical, athletic style of play that led Portugal to the Round of 16 at last year’s EuroBasket, and he has returned to the national team for the upcoming window to prove their performance in Riga was no fluke.
Queta averaged 15.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game at EuroBasket 2025, having previously posted 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in the Qualifiers. He will certainly relish the challenge that Spain and Georgia will present.
Santi Aldama - Spain
FORWARD
Birth Date: Jan 10, 2001 (25 years old) Height: 211cm / 6’11” Team: Dallas Mavericks (USA)
After a lacklustre EuroBasket last summer, Spain found solace in Santi Aldama, who averaged 14 points and 6.6 rebounds in five games. He’ll make his return in the fourth window.
A good shooter who provides Spain with good floor spacing, Aldama will provide his side with some great offensive tools during the Qualifiers, as Spain prepares to face off against Portugal and Greece in two tricky encounters.
Mario Hezonja - Croatia
GUARD/FORWARD
Birth Date: Feb 25, 1995 (31 years old) Height: 202cm / 6’8” Team: Cleveland Cavaliers (USA)
The star of the third window of the European Qualifiers, Mario Hezonja, posted the first-ever triple-double in this event against Cyprus, capping a sublime last six games, where he averaged 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.
He leads the Croatians into battle against Latvia and the Netherlands, looking to keep the momentum going and guide Croatia back to the big stage, having missed out on last summer’s FIBA EuroBasket.
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