SYDNEY (Australia) - The FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 is ready to drop in Sydney and with things about to get real, it's the perfect time for the second volume of the Power Rankings.

Taking into account the latest roster news and any recent preparation game performances, as well as Volume 1 of the Power Rankings, scroll down to see how things now sit on the eve of the tournament.

#1 China   (+1) 

2021 Edition Record: 4-1 (2nd) 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 2nd

Maybe we are being over confident about China's prospects because they will be without two of their biggest hitters in Sijing Huang and Yueru Li. However, the latter's absence just means more minutes for Xu Han who was sensational in Sydney last year at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. If she gets anywhere near that level on her return to the city, opposing defenses are going to struggle to get near China. Also the fact that they are likely to have Meng Li on the win with her scoring power, leadership and strength is a big reason why they can end the pain of more than a decade without the silverware.

Perhaps the backcourt is where it will be most important and there will be an incredible emphasis on Liwei Yang and Yuan Li to step up and add a scoring touch to proceedings. China should have plenty of support if last year's Worlds was anything to go by and they should be able to give the biggest test to fierce rivals Japan. After falling short at the last five editions, it's time to for gold again. Surely?

#2 Japan   (-1)

2021 Edition Record:  5-0 (1st)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 9th

Backing against Japan is probably foolish because they remain the team to beat and will not give up their crown without an incredible fight. They have some amazing players like Maki Takada and  2021 MVP Himawari Akaho who will lead the defense and set the tone for the trademark work rate of the team. Also look out for Aika Hirashita too, the young forward who excelled at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. The backcourt and wings will be loaded with offensive firepower such as the sharp-shooting Saki Hayashi.

However, you have to question Japan post-Tokyo 2020. It was always going to be tough to sustain the same levels that took them to that historical Olympic high of silver on home soil. Especially with a new coach. To their collective credit they did win the FIBA Women's AsiaCup 2021 in the immediate aftermath, but could and probably should have lost to China who lost their nerve. Then, Japan were very poor at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. Now, they arrive back in Sydney without some star names such as Ramu Tokashiki and Rui Machida so it will be intriguing if they can shift up a gear or whether China will outlast them this time.

#3 Australia  (+1) 

2021 Edition Record: 4-2 (3rd)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 3rd

It's going to be a tough challenge for the Opals to medal at this event because of the dominance of Japan and China, the threat of a Korea team with the inspiring Ji Su Park on board and of course, because of the number of Australian players that are not available due to injury and WNBA duties. Stand-in playcaller Shannon Seebohm will be looking to emulate another caretaker coach Paul Gorris who delivered bronze in 2021 in Amman. It will really have to be done with a team ethic, since the Opals don't truly have a go-to player like last time when Sami Whitcomb was awesome and put the team on her back at times.

The 2023 roster will be very capable as a collective unit and has a number of FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 members who know what it is like to take a podium step in Sydney. They include Tess Madgen who's know how will be huge, Darcee Garbin who comes off the back of an impressive debut EuroLeague Women season, plus the ever improving Anneli Maley in the paint. It will also be interesting how the likes of young Shyla Heal manages to be influential - or not. Maybe we have given Australia a bit of a 'hosts vote' in bumping them up - but it feels like bronze is a realistic aim. Anything else would be over-achieving and missing out under-achieving. 

#4 Korea  (-1)

2021 Edition Record: 3-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 12th

This might be the worst decision of the entire rankings to move Korea down a spot as they look like they have a great shot at a medal. Let's just call it squeezed out by boosting the confidence of the host nation. The headline we mentioned last time was of course Ji Su Park being available to lead the team again and that is huge, as is Danbi Kim postponing retirement. But we should not overlook the shooting power of Leeseul Kang who was incredible at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup last year. That three-punch will be vital. The only downside was that Korea's tour of Europe saw some big losses and that is a concern.  

#5 New Zealand  (-)

2021 Edition Record: 2-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th

This 'Forever Fifth' label might be sticking? It's difficult to see the Tall Ferns getting into the top four, although not impossible if they hit a high gear collectively and individually. The presence of Charlisse Leger-Walker in the backcourt and Penina Davidson in the frontcourt is a stable foundation but does put a lot of pressure on them both to produce big numbers and performances. Of course, there is a lot more on the team and head coach Guy Molloy will be back to take charge after missing their extensive European Tour which yielded mixed results but gave a great opportunity for the young players to gain experience. They execute plays well and run some nice stuff - but do they have the talent and depth to seriously push for the podium? Hmmm. 

#6 Chinese Taipei  (-)

2021 Edition Record: 1-4
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 33rd

'Best of the Rest' is a tagline that might suit Chinese Taipei. They seem to be that link between those teams that can at least dream realistically of a medal and those arriving in Sydney pre-occupied with fears of relegation to Division B. They are the dotted line in the tournament on paper. Quality above and less so below. Then again they could be dragged into a survival battle probably more than a shock medal push. But they always seem to have enough talent, team ethos and balanced play to get the win they need on the board. It just feels like more of the same at this edition - which is no bad thing.

#7 Philippines  (+1) 

2021 Edition Record: 1-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 42nd

Has bringing in Duke University baller Vanessa De Jesus just saved Philippines from the dreaded fear of relegation? It will certainly be a huge help for Head Coach Pat Aquino and his team to have her on board. The return of Jack Animam who missed out in 2021 is also huge news as well. The question is whether the team can insert more control and structure into their play because relying on their streaky shooting prowess is dangerous if it doesn't end up raining threes. They didn't manage to win the South East Asian Games despite their unique Division A status so there are some concerns, but can they save themselves again - as they did in 2021?

#8 Lebanon   (-1)

2021 Edition Record:  N/A - Played and won Division B title
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 70th

Could Lebanon be about to make a quick trip back to Division B having been promoted two years ago in Amman? Well their drop of one spot through the trap door back to the second tier is more about Philippines having been given a lift by the addition of De Jesus. There is every reason that Lebanon can survive and defy this ranking of course, since they showed some great play when they won Division B, but there has not been a lot of basketball since and it will be interesting to see how they step out in a very tough group containing China, Korea and New Zealand. It will surely all boil down to the dreaded 7th and 8th Classification Game. Look out for the likes of Rebecca Akl who was Division MVP of Division B to lead them to safety.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

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Paul Nilsen

The FIBA Women's Asia Cup Power Rankings are put together by our panel, led by FIBA's women's basketball specialist Paul Nilsen. He eats, sleeps and breathes female hoops and is incredibly passionate about the promotion of the women's game at all levels. Paul uses an extensive network of players, coaches, clubs and Federations to shape his work and opinions.