Venezuela
FIBA World Rank: 20
NBA Connection: Venezuela has perhaps the least connection with NBA talent in the entire FIBA World Cup 2019 field, with no players who have logged any amount of time in the NBA. John Cox IV was born in Venezuela to American parents and played college basketball at San Francisco. His father, Chubby Cox, was an accomplished basketball player who spent time in the NBA, and his first cousin played in the NBA as well: Kobe Bryant.
Name(s) to Know: Jose and Gregory Vargas are brothers who together have been at the center of Venezuela elevating to the status of contending in FIBA Americas and making the World Cup this year. Jose is the older and plays on the wing, while Gregory plays point guard for the squad.
FIBA History: 2019 will mark Venezuela’s fourth visit to the World Cup, last making it in 2006. Although they have struggled to be impactful on a world level they have taken on the mantle of best team in South America in recent years. They won the FIBA Americas in 2015 by defeating Canada in the title game, and have won the last two FIBA South American Championships.
Outlook: On the surface things look advantageous to Venezuela, which is the highest-ranked team in Group A according to FIBA’s Word Rankings at 20. Even so oddmakers have them projected to finish a distant third in the group behind a battle-tested Poland team and the hometown Chinese. The core of this team has played together for years, so they have a good chance to advance, but it will be an uphill battle.