Group F heading into window 5: No margin for error

MIAMI (United States) – Window 5 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers is just days away and the fight for the region’s seven spots is very even, especially in Group F of the Second Round.

This is the state of the group:

Group F

6/18 games played
All First Round results carry over to Second Round

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	USA	8	7	1	87.5		735	617	118	91.9	77.1	15
2	Brazil	8	5	3	62.5		677	568	109	84.6	71	13
3	Mexico	8	5	3	62.5		669	663	6	83.6	82.9	13
4	Uruguay	8	5	3	62.5		593	609	-16	74.1	76.1	13
5	Puerto Rico	8	4	4	50.0		613	625	-12	76.6	78.1	12
6	Colombia	8	3	5	37.5		634	722	-88	79.2	90.2	11

Friday, November 11

United States vs. Brazil - 16:00 local time
Puerto Rico vs. Colombia - 20:10 local time
Mexico vs. Uruguay - 20:30 local time

Monday, November 14

United States vs. Colombia - 19:10 local time
Puerto Rico vs. Uruguay - 20:10 local time
Mexico vs. Brazil - 20:30 local time

Team USA navigates through calm Waters, for now, with a two-game lead atop the group, but will host Brazil – one of their most dangerous opponents. The South Americans have lost three in a row, and they badly need a victory, since another defeat would put them in the danger zone. It’s expected they’ll show their best version against a very strong American squad. With a win, the U.S. would all but punch their ticket to the World Cup.

And just as Brazil needs to snap out of its funk, Mexico and Uruguay, who share the same 5-3 record, face an identical situation. They will face each other, and the winner will get in a much stronger position heading into the final games. Afterwards, Mexico has another do-or-die game against Brazil, while Uruguay will face Puerto Rico – a team sitting just one game behind them and that will also be looking to avenge their 78-70 loss in Montevideo in the previous window.

Colombia, in last place in the group, has two huge challenges on the road against Puerto Rico and the United States. If they’re able to pull an upset, they’ll get themselves back in the conversation.

Star to watch

Bruno Caboclo – Brazil

 

Power forward
Height: 206cm / 6'9"
First Round stats: 13.3 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.7 STL, 1.3 BLK, 66% FG in 25.2 minutes per game.

The lanky and versatile big man can dominate on both ends of the floor like few players in the tournament. On offense, he’s capable of producing in the paint and on the perimeter, while on defense he’s one of the best at protecting the rim. Caboclo, who now plays for Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico in the NBA G-League, is back on the national team after being absent during the August window and the AmeriCup. His return couldn’t have come at a better time for his country.

Top Prospect

Yahir Bonilla – Mexico

Forward
Height: 204cm / 6'8"
AmeriCup stats: 10.5 PTS, 5.8 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.5 STL, 1.8 BLK, in 37.2 minutes per game.

At just 19-year-old, the Barcelona player shined at AmeriCup, letting head coach Omar Quintero know that he can be relied upon in any situation. The continental tournament was a coming out party for the forward, who’s been called up again. If he ends up playing for Mexico during this window, we’re sure he’ll have a bigger role than he had in the previous games.

Group F teams in the FIBA World Ranking:

World Rank	Team	Americas Rank
1.	USA	1.
14.	Brazil	3.
22.	Puerto Rico	6.
31.	Mexico	8.
45.	Uruguay	9.
52.	Colombia	11.

FIBA