MIES (Switzerland) -
Window 4 brought plenty of drama in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, from crucial wins and close finishes to some spectacular individual performances. Perhaps just as compelling, though, were the players returning to national-team action after periods of absence, with Kai Sotto, Rui Hachimura, Yuki Kawamura, Lee HyunJung, Luke Travers, Youssef Khayat and Corey Webster all making their presence felt.
Which comeback player impressed you the most?
Kai Sotto (PHI)
CENTER
Date of Birth: May 11, 2002 Height: 216 cm / 7'1"
After nearly two years away from Gilas Pilipinas, Sotto couldn't have scripted a much better return. The towering center helped the Philippines secure two crucial wins, keeping their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 hopes alive with dominant work around the basket. Sotto averaged a double-double across the window and looked every bit the force Gilas needed in the middle. Quite literally, he was the Filipinos' tower of power.
Window 4 Averages: 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 block, 21.0 EFF per game
Rui Hachimura (JPN)
FORWARD
Date of Birth: Feb 8, 1998 Height: 205 cm / 6'8"
Hachimura's return to AKATAUKI JAPAN had been eagerly anticipated, and the forward certainly gave fans something to celebrate. Playing for the national team for the first time since Paris 2024, he immediately showed why his presence can transform Japan's ceiling. Hachimura scored 29 points against Saudi Arabia before following it up with 30 against Qatar, powering Japan to two convincing victories.
Window 4 Averages: 29.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals, 4.5 three-pointers, 37.5 EFF per game
Yuki Kawamura (JPN)
GUARD
Date of Birth: May 2, 2001 Height: 172 cm / 5'7"
Kawamura didn't need to score in bunches to make his return memorable. The diminutive guard immediately rediscovered his trademark playmaking, orchestrating Japan's offense with remarkable efficiency. He handed out nine assists without committing a turnover against Saudi Arabia, then followed with 10 more dimes against Qatar while turning it over just twice. That's a 9.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio for Window 4.
Kawamura may not have matched Hachimura's scoring exploits, but his fingerprints were all over Japan's two wins.
Window 4 Averages: 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 11.5 EFF per game
Lee HyunJung (KOR)
FORWARD
Date of Birth: Oct 23, 2000 Height: 200 cm / 6'6"
After missing Window 3, Lee returned to the Korea lineup and reminded everyone of the impact he can make. The 25-year-old wing had a difficult outing in Lebanon, but responded emphatically in Korea's home victory over Saudi Arabia, exploding for 25 points and 10 rebounds. That bounce-back performance underlined his importance to Korea's campaign.
If Korea are to remain in the hunt for a World Cup berth, they'll need more of that version of Lee.
Window 4 Averages: 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 three-pointers, 1.0 steal, 19.0 EFF per game
Luke Jacob Travers (AUS)
FORWARD
Date of Birth: Sep 3, 2001 Height: 200 cm / 6'7"
It had been roughly four years since Travers last suited up for the Boomers, but the long wait clearly hadn't diminished his ability to contribute. Travers scored 14 points in just 19 minutes against Syria before showcasing his versatility against Jordan, filling the stat sheet with seven points, six rebounds and 10 assists. His return gave Australia another multi-dimensional piece as the Boomers continued their perfect run.
Window 4 Averages: 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 18.0 EFF per game
Youssef Khayat (LBN)
FORWARD
Date of Birth: Mar 11, 2003 Height: 205 cm / 6'8"
Khayat returned for the Cedars after missing Window 3 and wasted no time making an impact. Known affectionately as "Yoyo," he stuffed the stat sheet in Lebanon's win over Korea, posting 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks as the Cedars collected their sixth victory. He was quieter in the loss to China, but his immediate impact against Korea showed exactly what Lebanon had been missing.
Window 4 Averages: 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block, 13.0 EFF per game
Corey Webster (NZL)
FORWARD
Date of Birth: Nov 29, 1988 Height: 189 cm / 6'2"
Webster's return was a reminder that some things only get better with age. The 37-year-old missed the Asia Cup 2025 and the first three windows of the Asian Qualifiers, yet looked right at home when he finally returned. Webster was particularly influential in New Zealand's win over Syria, knocking down six three-pointers on his way to 22 points while adding five rebounds, three assists and a steal. The "oldie but goodie" still has plenty left in the tank.
Window 4 Averages: 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.0 three-pointers, 9.0 EFF per game
Seven players. Seven different comeback stories. Now it's your turn: which return made the biggest impression in Window 4?
FIBA