FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Smart Power Rankings: Volume 2

    8 min to read
    Power Rankings

    Recent form and roster announcemtns shake up the FIBA Asia Cup outlook as some teams climb and slide.

    JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - With tip-off for FIBA Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, recent warm-up tournaments and roster announcements have given us fresh insights into who’s peaking, who’s faltering and where the balance of power lies heading into Jeddah.

    Keep in mind, these rankings are independent of the official FIBA World Ranking, presented by Nike. These updated Power Rankings reflect form over the past month, considering latest available preparation results, key player availability and which teams look best positioned to make noise in Jeddah.

    1. Australia

    Will Magnay

    Previous: 1st FIBA World Ranking: 7th

    The Boomers remain at the top. Their 93-87 win against the University of Colorado is less about the scoreline and more about giving their deep roster competitive minutes. Olympics veterans Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh should anchor their depth. Australia’s balance, experience and size still make them the team to beat in Jeddah.

    2. Japan

    Keisei Tominaga

    Previous: 2nd FIBA World Ranking: 21st

    Japan impressed at the Lusail Cup, beating both Qatar (103-92) and Saudi Arabia (85-78) with their trademark speed and ball movement. Their pace-and-space style is in solid form. Even without some big names, Akatsuki Japan's system looks polished and dangerous. The depth of talent keeps Japan firmly in the top two.

    3. New Zealand

    Jordan Ngatai

    Previous: 3rd FIBA World Ranking: 22nd

    The Tall Blacks had a strong showing in their recent warm-up games, highlighted by a 90-89 win over Brazil and a 89-82 triumph over Montenegro. They seem to be finding rhythm at the right time. Their toughness and improved shooting make them a serious Semi-Finals threat.

    4. China

    Zhao Rui

    Previous: 4th FIBA World Ranking: 30th

    China are knocking on the door of the top three after a string of solid tune-up wins, including victories over the Netherlands, Venezuela and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The balance of their inside game and perimeter shooting looks sharper now than in February. The emergence of Hu Jinqiu and steady play from their veteran guards has re-established China as a podium contender.

    5. Lebanon

    Youssef Khayat

    Previous: 6th FIBA World Ranking: 29th

    Lebanon jump up a spot after dominating the Beirut International Cup with wins over Jordan (89-79) and Iran (105-89). Wael Arakji’s presence in their final roster announcement has turned heads, and it is a welcome development for Cedars fans. It seems like they are figuring things out, with Amir Saoud and Youssef Khayat looking really sharp.

    6. Philippines

    Carl Tamayo

    Previous: 8th FIBA World Ranking: 34th

    Momentum is building for Gilas Pilipinas after back-to-back wins against the Macau Black Bears (103-98) and Jordan (75-61). Their athleticism and ball movement looked crisp, and the recent warm-up win over the Falcons hints that they might be rounding into shape just in time. Even without Kai Sotto, their athleticism still makes them a dangerous side.

    7. Iran

    Mohammad Amini

    Previous: 5th FIBA World Ranking: 28th

    Iran slide slightly after a mixed Beirut International Cup showing – losing to Egypt and Lebanon but salvaging a win over Jordan. Mohammad Amini continues to develop, but the team need to find another gear to keep up with the top tier. They will need their veterans to reset quickly if they want to seriously contend in Jeddah.

    8. Jordan

    Ahmad Al-Hamarsheh

    Previous: 7th FIBA World Ranking: 35th

    Jordan have been struggling in warm-up action, losing to Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and the Philippines. The Falcons will also be without Ahmad Al Dwairi and Amin Abu Hawwas, who were important players for them in the previous FIBA Asia Cup. Jordan need to fire on all cylinders to regain confidence when group play starts.

    9. Qatar

    Abdulrahman Saad

    Previous: 10th FIBA World Ranking: 87th

    Qatar climb after a solid Lusail Cup, highlighted by a win over Saudi Arabia (82-78) and Iraq (77-73). The fact that they pushed Japan for stretches shows that this group can be a tricky opponent in Jeddah. Qatar look like legitimate group phase spoilers.

    10. Korea

    Jongkyu Kim

    Previous: 9th FIBA World Ranking: 53rd

    Little new evidence has come out of Korea’s camp, but their experience and pedigree still keep them in the middle of the pack. While their skill remains evident, other teams around them have shown better form recently. As things stand, their ceiling appears limited in a tough group.

    11. Saudi Arabia

    Khalid Abdel Gabar

    Previous: 12th FIBA World Ranking: 65th

    The hosts had a mixed Lusail Cup – a confidence-boosting win over Iraq (91-76) but also losses to Qatar and Japan. Still, with home-court advantage and key pieces like Khalid Abdel Gabar, Mohammed Al-Suwailem and Fahad Belal, the Saudis remain dangerous wildcards.

    12. Chinese Taipei

    Ying-Chun Chen

    Previous: 11th FIBA World Ranking: 73rd

    Chinese Taipei stay competitive but have not made recent noise to deepen confidence in their squad’s positioning, which is also affected by the absence of injured sharp-shooter Lu Chun-Hsiang. Of course, their last win over the Philippines in qualifiers remains a reminder of their upset potential. Their perimeter shooting and the presence of the Hinton brothers should still give them a chance to surprise.

    13. Syria

    2025 FIBA AC - Syria

    Previous: 14th FIBA World Ranking: 71st

    Syria rise one spot despite mixed results at the Beirut International Cup. A win was elusive, but competitive play against Egypt (77-66) and Lebanon (79-69) suggests they are no easy out. With very physical interior presence, they could make life tough for opponents if their depth holds up.

    14. India

    Pranav Prince

    Previous: 13th FIBA World Ranking: 76th

    India slide a bit as other teams around them have shown more in recent tune-ups. Consistency and turnovers remain their biggest hurdles heading into the group stage. That said, their qualifiers form – highlighted by Muin Bek Hafeez and Pranav Prince – suggests they have the tools to be competitive if they can maintain discipline.

    15. Iraq

    Ihab Al-Zuhairi

    Previous: 15th FIBA World Ranking: 92nd

    Iraq struggled in Lusail Cup action, losing all their games, showing they have a lot of work to do. Their size still poses a challenge, but on current form, they look a step behind. Demario Mayfield, Ihab Al-Zuhairi and Ali Ismael have to really step up.

    16. Guam

    Ben Borja

    Previous: 16th FIBA World Ranking: 88th

    With no recent publicised test games and facing a stacked field, Guam remain enthusiastic underdogs. Expect hustle and fight, but their path will be steep against Asia Cup giants. Needless to say, Guam will need high-level performances from stalwarts like Jericho Cruz and Ben Borja to be competitive.

    The warm-up window has added layers of intrigue. Lebanon’s dominance, China’s sharp form and the Philippines’ resurgence have shaken up the middle tiers. Meanwhile, Jordan, Iran and Korea will need to course-correct quickly.

    When the competition tips off on August 5 in Jeddah, expect more surprises as these power dynamics are tested on the biggest stage in Asian basketball. The table is set: Jeddah promises drama, breakthroughs and potential shockers when the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 games commence.

    DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.

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