MIES (Switzerland) – The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers are entering a new phase, and Window 4 could bring several fresh faces and familiar names back into the spotlight. As teams prepare for the Second Round, a number of players could make their debuts or return to national team action with plenty to prove.
From an Australian guard coming off a standout NCAA season and a Japanese playmaking sensation with NBA experience to proven veterans returning for Lebanon and Syria, there are plenty of intriguing storylines to follow. China and Qatar could also parade towering young talents as they continue building toward the future.
Here are 10 debutants and returning players to watch in Window 4.
Maxwell Mackinnon - Australia
FORWARD Birth Date: October 9, 2003 (25 years old) Height: 198 cm / 6'6"
Maxwell Mackinnon enters Window 4 after putting together an impressive collegiate season at LSU. The Australian guard started 30 of 31 games for the Tigers in 2025-26 and led the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game, while also averaging 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He was even more productive down the stretch, averaging 20.4 points over his final five games. Mackinnon also knocked down 67 three-pointers at a 37.6 percent clip. That combination of scoring and perimeter shooting could make him an intriguing new option for an Australian side that has already shown their overwhelming offensive firepower.
Yuki Kawamura - Japan
GUARD Birth Date: May 2, 2001 (25 years old) Height: 172 cm / 5'8"
Few returning players would generate as much excitement as Yuki Kawamura. The diminutive point guard has already established himself as one of Asia's premier playmakers, averaging 13.6 points and 7.6 assists at the World Cup in 2023 before starring for Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with 20.3 points and 7.7 assists per game.
Kawamura's combination of speed, creativity and fearless shot-making makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses, while his NBA experience has only added to his development. In his expected return to Japan for Window 4, expect the 25-year-old to immediately become one of the most closely watched players in the competition.
DJ Funderburk - Lebanon
CENTER Birth Date: April 12, 1997 (29 years old) Height: 208 cm / 6'10"
Lebanon seem likely to add some serious size and experience with the potential debut of DJ Funderburk. The 6-foot-10 big man has spent years playing professionally across Europe and beyond, including an appearance in the Europe Cup with Anwil Wloclawek, where he averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 2025. Funderburk's athleticism and scoring ability around the basket would give the Cedars another frontcourt option as they prepare for the tougher challenges of the Second Round, especially as they are set to face traditional powerhouses Korea and China.
James Justice Jr. - Syria
GUARD Birth Date: January 12, 1989 (37 years old) Height: 177 cm / 5'10"
James Justice Jr. would bring something Syria can never have enough of: experience. The veteran point guard has enjoyed a long professional career across Africa, Europe, Canada and West Asia, including a stint in the Qatar Basketball League and a season with Tunisian powerhouse US Monastir.
Syrian fans will be more than pleased to see this familiar face in action for their national team. In the 2025-26 season of FIBA WASL, Justice averaged 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for Syrian Club Al Wahda SC.
At just 5-foot-10, Justice has always made his impact through speed, creativity and shot-making. His explosive presence could be particularly valuable for a Syrian side that battled its way into the Second Round and will now face an even higher level of competition against Australia and New Zealand.
Kai Sotto – Philippines
CENTER Birth Date: May 11, 2002 (24 years old) Height: 216 cm / 7'1"
Few returns would have a bigger potential impact than Kai Sotto's. The 7-foot-1 center has already shown how much he can change a game for Gilas Pilipinas, most notably when he posted 19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and two blocks against New Zealand in the Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Sotto's combination of size, skill and passing ability gives the Philippines a completely different dimension inside, especially as they will treat each game as a must-win. His return would provide a major boost as Gilas open their Second Round campaign on home soil against familiar foes Jordan and Iran.
Flynn Cameron – New Zealand
GUARD Birth Date: June 30, 2000 (26 years old) Height: 196 cm / 6'5"
Flynn Cameron is hardly a strange name to Tall Blacks fans, but his return remains one to watch, especially after his stint at the NBA Summer League. The versatile guard-forward has already established himself as an important piece of New Zealand's national team, averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. He also made an immediate impact in the World Cup Qualifiers in late 2025, averaging 12.0 points and 4.5 assists in his first two games of the campaign. With his ability to create, score and facilitate from multiple positions, Cameron gives New Zealand another versatile weapon in their games against Iran and Syria.
Oussama Abdenacer Arfa – Qatar
CENTER Birth Date: October 14, 2000 (25 years old) Height: 210 cm / 6'11"
Qatar will look to Oussama Abdenacer Arfa for additional size as they continue their preparations toward the World Cup next year on home soil. Listed at nearly 7 feet tall, the 26-year-old big man gives Qatar another imposing option in the frontcourt. His potential involvement would add much-needed frontline depth to a team that is continuing to build its senior program, with the hosts looking to turn their home-court advantage into meaningful progress in the Second Round.
Abdulla Mousa – Qatar
GUARD Birth Date: June 26, 2008 (18 years old) Height: 188 cm / 6'2"
Qatar's future could be arriving faster than expected in the form of Abdulla Mousa. Still only 18, the young guard has already gained significant senior experience and has appeared in three games in the current World Cup Qualifiers. His youth résumé is even more impressive: Mousa averaged 20.8 points at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 and 20.3 points at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2023.
How about this though? In his second U18 Asia Cup which he played last week, he averaged more than 28.0 points per game. That was before stepping right back into action in friendly games with the senior national team - highlighted by a 15-point outing in a win over Saudi Arabi last Saturday.
Mousa is already juggling responsibilities between Qatar's youth and senior teams, and another opportunity in Window 4 would accelerate the development of one of the country's most exciting young prospects after missing out in Window 3.
FIBA